Graphene-encapsulated aluminium oxide nanofibers as a novel type of nanofillers for electroconductive ceramics

Graphene has attracted tremendous research interest in recent years owing to its exceptional properties. We report the remarkable ability to transform an insulating material, such as Al2O3, into a highly conductive material by filling the matrix with alumina nanofibers encapsulated by multi-layered graphene. The fibers of 7 nm in diameter were covered by graphene by catalyst-free one-step CVD process for the first time. Coupling between graphene layers and Al2O3 nanofibers results in the development of a novel type of fillers for ceramics, which modify the intrinsic electrical properties of the insulating materials by addition of less than 1 wt.% of graphene into the ceramic matrix. We believe that the general strategy described in this study will open new avenues in developing of graphene–ceramic composites with enhanced electrical properties that can be then suitable for high-precision electrical discharge machining.

Graphical abstractThe synthesis of graphene-based composites has been widely studied during the past decade because of the promising industrial application of these materials. Here, we show facile one-step CVD graphene growth on the surface of oxide nanofibers, which can be used as fillers for enhancing machining insulating ceramics.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide