Hybrid Ceramic Nano-Composites:

The outstanding electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of carbon nanotubes have recently spurred considerable activity in the development of multifunctional value-added nanocomposites. Their incorporation into ceramics to design and develop lightweight structural materials combined with unique electrical and thermal transport properties has, however, been a less focused area of research. Hybrid Ceramic Nano-Composites' provides the first guide solely devoted to the latest advances in nanoscale science and design of ceramic based carbon nanotube composites. The composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering exhibit amazing functional properties. Specifically, an innovative hybrid microstructure design has been proposed which is a new system of ceramic nanocomposites and improves toughness by providing mutually redundant toughening mechanisms. Direct evidences for toughening by carbon nanotubes in ceramics are demonstrated for the first time. The tailored functional properties of the composites can be achieved through hybrid microstructure designing at nanoscale. Researchers, scientists, and academics will appreciate this cutting edge exploration of nanomaterials.