Ionic liquid assisted fabrication of high performance SWNTs reinforced ceramic matrix nano-composites

A Novel approach to fabricate high performance SiCN ceramic nanocomposites containing well dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) assisted by room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) is developed. This method is straightforward, environment-friendly and overcome the typical challenges in the synthesis procedures of SWNTs reinforced precursor derived ceramics (PDCs). The microstructural and elemental characteristics of these ceramic matrix nanocomposites present highly-dispersed SWNTs were introduced and a profitably BN(C) interlayer could be formed in situ between the SWNTs and the ceramic matrix, which resulting in a high performance and a crack free ceramic product. Compared to the pure monolithic SiCN ceramic, the Young's modulus enhanced by ~11% and the electrical conductivities increased up to 0.06 S cm−1 for ceramic composite in the case of the 1 wt% SWNTs was containing. Furthermore, the electrochemical investigation shows the potential application of these SWNTs-IL/Ceramics composites in electrochemical hydrogen storage.