Preparation and mechanical properties of Si3N4 nanocomposites reinforced by Si3N4@rGO particles

A new type of reduced graphene oxide-encapsulated silicon nitride (Si3N4@rGO) particle was synthesized via an electrostatic interaction between amino-functionalized Si3N4 particles and graphene oxide (GO). Subsequently, the Si3N4@rGO particles were incorporated into a Si3N4 matrix as a reinforcing phase to prepare nanocomposites, and their influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Si3N4 ceramics was investigated in detail. The microstructure analysis showed that the rGO sheets were uniformly distributed throughout the matrix and firmly bonded to the Si3N4 grains to form a three-dimensional carbon network structure. This unique structure effectively increased the contact area and load transfer efficiency between the rGO sheets and the matrix, which in turn had a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. The results showed that the nanocomposites with 2.25 wt.% rGO sheets exhibited mechanical properties that were superior to monolithic Si3N4; the flexural strength increased by 83.5% and reached a maximum value of 1116.4 MPa, and the fracture toughness increased by 67.7% to 10.35 MPa center dot m(1/2).