Graphene-alumina nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties for biomedical applications

Jian Liu, Yang Yang, Hany Hassanin, Neeraj Jumbu, Sunan Deng, Qian Zuo, Kyle Jiang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The paper presents a study on graphene platelet (GPL)-reinforced alumina (Al2O3) ceramic composites and the relationships between the loading of GPL and both mechanical properties and in-vitro biocompatibility. Al2O3 powders with different GPL contents were prepared and sintered using a gas protected pressure-less furnace. The examination of the results shows the density of the composites varying from 99.2% to 95.6% with the loading of GPL from 0.75 to 1.48 vol%. Raman studies show that moderate agglomerations of GPLs occur during the ball milling process and graphitic defects were produced during the high temperature processing. Mechanical properties of the Al2O3 matrix are significantly improved by adding GPLs. A maximum increase of approximately 60% in flexural strength and 70% in fracture toughness are achieved by introducing 0.75 vol% GPLs. In the biocompatibility tests it was found that cells directly seeding on top of GPL/Al2O3 samples showed better initial attachment (3 hours after seeding) and viability (3 days after incubation) than the onolithic
Al2O3, indicating that the GPL/Al2O3 composites have comparable or more favorable biocompatibility. The excellent mechanical and biomedical properties of the GPL/Al2O3 composites may enable them to be applied to a wide range of engineering and biomedical applications.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2607–2616
Number of pages9
JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jan 2016

Keywords

  • Graphene
  • Alumina
  • Nanocomposite
  • Ceramics
  • Mechanical properties
  • Biomedical applications

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Engineering(all)

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