Synthesis and Characterization of CNT Reinforced Alumina based Nanocomposite

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced alumina matrix nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by two different techniques. In the first process sol-gel method was used to generate 3 wt% homogeneously distributed CNT in alumina matrix after sintering. In another novel method chemical mixing process was adopted for synthesis of CNT-alumina nanocomposite powder to generate maximum of 10 wt% CNTs in the alumina matrix after sintering. Phase identification was done by XRD and the particle size was measured by Scherrer and Williamson-Hall plot. Compared to pure alumina the hardness of the nanocomposite was improved by 3–18% for different wt% of CNTs. The hardness of the nanocomposite enhanced due to an enhanced load carrying capacity of homogeneously distributed CNTs.

Keywords:

• Carbon nanotube (CNT)
• Nanocomposite
• Sol-gel process
• Chemical mixing process
• Microhardness