Synthesis of Clay-based Ceramic/Carbon Composite by Starch Consolidation Casting and Reductive Sintering
- 1. Abstract of Emerging Trends in Scientific Research, 2015, Vol.3 DOI: 10.18488/journal.1002/2015.3/1002.3 3rd International Conference on Emerging Trends in Scientific Research 25-26 April, 2015 Pearl International Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Conference Website: www.pakrdw.com 1 Paper ID: 604/15/3 rd ICETSR Synthesis of Clay-based Ceramic/Carbon Composite by Starch Consolidation Casting and Reductive Sintering Alexander O. Mosqueda1 --- Ruben L. Menchavez2 --- Nathaniel M. Anacleto3 1,2,3 Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines Abstract This study explores a method of synthesizing a clay-based ceramic/carbon composite by starch consolidation casting and reductive sintering. Starch is harnessed not only as a binder but also as precursor for carbon material, which presents a simple, less expensive and environmental-friendly approach to synthesize ceramic/carbon composite. Ceramic slurry from ternary powder mixture of red-clay, quartz, and feldspar in water was consolidated with potato starch in a mould and heated inside a pressure cooker to obtain a cylindrical green body. The moulded samples were then sintered at 1000-1250 oC in a vertical tube furnace under argon to synthesized bulk ceramic composites. The sintered samples turned black that indicates the formation of pyrolyzed carbon in the ceramic matrix and in graphite form with decreasing carbon yield (3.957-1.273%) as sintering temperature increases. Phase composition and microstructure of the clay-based ceramic/carbon were examined by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Measurements on linear shrinkage, apparent porosity, and bulk density were conducted to physically characterize the sintered composites. The electrical conductivity of the sample was determined by Van der Pauw method which increases (0.85-3.91 S/cm) with increasing sintering temperature. This study opens the potential for the synthesized clay-based ceramic/carbon composite to be developed as carbon-filled filter or be used in electronic applications. Keywords: Ceramic/carbon composite, Clay-based, Carbon yield, Reductive sintering.