9 - Surface modification and functionalization of ceramics composites with cellulose materials

Abstract

Ceramics are good engineering materials that have found wide application in electronics, electrical, aeronautics, defense, and structural industries due to its high hardness, low coefficient of friction, extremely high melting point, high corrosion resistance, low density, cost effectiveness, and availability. However, their low thermal and electrical conductivities, brittleness, and low tensile and bending strengths have undermined their usage in most essential and critical applications. Nevertheless, studies have shown that ceramics modified and functionalized with cellulose possess higher bending strength, lower shrinkage, higher ductility, and higher thermal and electrical conductivities than commercial ceramics. Therefore, in this chapter, discussion on the following was presented: introduction, types of ceramics materials, types of cellulose materials, process of modification and functionalization of ceramics, uses of cellulose-modified ceramic materials, prospects of cellulose-modified ceramics materials, challenges encountered during modification and functionalization of ceramics materials, conclusion, and recommendation.