Graphene nanosheet-induced toughening of yttria-stabilized zirconia.

Graphene nanosheet (GNS)-reinforced yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (TZP) were synthesized using spark plasma sintering (SPS), and the influences of the added GNSs on microstructure evolution and the microscopic mechanical properties of the sintered composites were investigated. Raman spectroscopy and microstructure observation corroborated that these added GNSs, which can survive the harsh SPS processing condition, homogeneously distribute in the matrix of all composites to hinder significantly the grain growth. In comparison with the monolithic TZP, the indentation fracture toughness of a GNS/TZP composite reaches maximum value and increases by up to ~36% (from ~4.1 to ~5.6 MPa m) even at 0.5% weight fraction, GNS pullout, crack bridging, crack deflection, and crack branching are responsible for the increased fracture toughness. The computed energy dissipation by GNS pullout decreases with increasing the number of graphene layers due to weak bonding between them, and therefore, graphene agglomeration would impair toughening effect. Moreover, scratch studies suggest that GNS/TZP composites exhibit improved scratch resistance due to the fact that GNSs are promising reinforcing and lubricating nanofillers in ceramic composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]