Novel 0D-Nanocarbon-Containing Ceramic Nanocomposites for Heat Dissipation and Thermoelectric Applications

• Applicant: Gabriela Ionescu, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: from 2017 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 390298740

The present proposal is a step forward and a continuation of a first three years intensive research of the applicant on 0D-nanocarbon-containing ceramic nanocomposites. The key objective of the first three-years research period was dedicated to the development of novel multifunctional 0D-nanocarbon-based ceramic composites with well-defined nanostructures for heat dissipation and thermoelectric applications. The aim of the project was to acquire a broad and deep knowledge of the relationships between the phase composition / nanostructure and the properties of the target ceramic nanocomposite materials consisting of 0D-nanocarbon-based phases (such as nanodiamond (ND), bucky nanodiamond (BNDs) or onion-like carbon (OLC)) finely dispersed in a ceramic matrix (i.e., silica or Si3N4).In the planned future work which is described in the present proposal, several points will be addressed, namely: i) an optimized route to high-yield and low-cost synthesis of OLC-SiO2 and BNDs-SiO2 ceramic nanocomposites will be developed from precursors with different branching, ii) the effect of full confinement of 0D-nanocarbons into silica nanoparticles (core-shell carbon-silica nanoparticles) will be clarified, iii) the synthesis of novel nanodiamond-graphene-hybrid containing silica composites, and their thermal conversion (from ND to OLC) will be studied,iv) an ultrafast pyrolysis and sintering technique recently developed at Univ. of Maryland will be applied for the preparation of ceramic composite monoliths. Both 0D and 2D-nanocarbon-containing, tailored and “smart” oxide ceramic nanocomposites will be designed to exhibit adjusted / adjustable structural properties in addition to functional properties such as tunable thermal and electrical conductivityThe studies planned within the present proposal will deliver valuable knowledge related to a relatively facile preparative approach, design and use of low dimensional nanocarbon-based nanocomposites with adjustable properties for possible thermal management applications.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants