Laser-Induced Graphene/h-BN Laminated Structure to Enhance the Self-Lubricating Property of Si3N4 Composite Ceramic

Abstract

Incorporating graphene as ceramic additives can significantly enhance both the toughness and self-lubricating characteristics of ceramic matrices. However, due to the difficult dispersion and easy agglomeration of graphene, the preparation process of composite ceramics still faces many problems. In this study, a laminated laser-induced reduced graphene oxide/hexagonal boron nitride (L-rGO/h-BN) was introduced as an additive into a silicon nitride matrix, then a silicon nitride/reduced graphene oxide/hexagonal boron nitride (Si3N4/L-rGO/h-BN) ceramic composite was successfully synthesized using Spark Plasma Sintering technology. This approach led to enhancements in both the mechanical and self-lubricating properties of silicon nitride ceramics. This is due to the good monodispersity of the incorporating graphene in the silicon nitride matrix. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the ceramic composite experienced notable increases of 30.4% and 34.4%, respectively. Tribological experiments demonstrate a significant enhancement in the self-lubricating performance of ceramic composites upon the incorporation of L-rGO/h-BN. The coefficient of friction and wear spot diameter experienced reductions of 26.6% and 21%, respectively. These improvements extend the potential industrial applications of Si3N4/L-rGO/h-BN ceramic composites. Throughout the friction process, the evenly exposed rGO and h-BN demonstrate an effective self-lubricating effect on the wear surface. This research paves the way for a novel approach to fabricating high-performance self-lubricating structural ceramics.