Synthesis and characterization of carbon-based ceramic nanocomposites

Graphene is an exclusive material that is an allotrope of carbon. Recently, low-dimensional carbon-based nanomaterials like graphene/graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide (GR/GO/RGO) and carbon nanotube (CNTs) nanocomposites have gained increasing attention due to their superior mechanical, thermal, electrical, and electromagnetic properties, favorable biocompatibility, and large specific surface area. The nanocomposites are synthesized by aggregating the ceramics in short amounts of time and maintaining the structure and characteristics of the nanomaterial reinforcements. Among these, graphene has excellent properties and is considered a promising filler to reinforced ceramics. While numerous studies have been devoted to the improvement of mechanical and electrical properties, incorporating graphene into ceramics also offers new opportunities for endowing ceramics with versatility. Carbon-based nanosheets allow wrinkled composites films with accurate control of the ceramic composite morphology. In this chapter, the recent developments of carbon-based ceramic are summarized with a focus on synthesis and characterization. The development of carbon-based nanocomposites is systematically summarized with regard to homogeneous dispersion and even well-ordered orientation of graphene sheets in the ceramic matrix. The challenges and outlook for upcoming progress in applications are also emphasized.