Synthesis and properties of HA/ZnO/CNT nanocomposite

The goal of this study was to examine the tribomechanical properties of hydroxyapatite (HA)/ZnO and HA/ZnO/CNT composite ceramics (carbon nanotubes; with different ratios 0.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, and 1.5 wt%). The composites were synthesized using the hydrothermal method in an autoclave. The structure and morphology of the composites were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The consolidation process was performed by sintering the compounds at 1150 °C under an argon gas atmosphere. The effects of ZnO and CNT on the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the HA-nanoparticle-based ceramic composites were investigated using a Vickers hardness tester, nanoindentation, and reciprocating wear tester equipment. The nanohardness and elastic modulus of the sintered samples increased and the friction coefficient of the sintered samples decreased as the fraction of CNTs increased compared to the pure HA and HA/ZnO compounds. Furthermore, the wear loss of HA/ZnO/CNT composites decreased with the increase in the CNT content compared to the HA and HA/ZnO samples.