Freeze cast carbon nanotube-alumina nanoparticle green composites

CNT-Al2O3 nanoparticle suspensions without and with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) were freeze-cast into green samples. SDS drastically improves Carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion and CNT-Al2O3 nanocomposite homogeneity. Green density of the CNT-Al2O3 nanocomposites decreases with CNT addition. Green strength of the CNT-Al2O3 nanocomposites increases with the CNT content when CNTs are well separated. The CNTAl2O3 nanocomposites show medium energy fracture mode during equibiaxial flexural strength testing and change color in response to CNT content and distribution in the Al2O3 nanoparticle matrix.