Structural and magnetic behavior of zirconia‐magnetic particles and zirconia‐graphene composite ceramics

Abstract

AbstractIncorporating magnetic materials in ceramic matrices becomes an attractive topic due to its versatility and wide range of applications. Therefore, this work aims to produce zirconia‐magnetic particles and zirconia‐graphene composites, investigating their structural and magnetic properties. The ceramic composites were produced by the tape casting technique and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and magnetic measurements. The microstructural characterization showed monoclinic and tetragonal zirconia phases from the zirconia powder and the magnetite and hematite phases from the magnetic particles. Three peaks of characteristics known as band D, G, and 2D evidenced the presence of graphene. The morphology of the zirconia‐magnetic particles and zirconia‐graphene composites showed grains with irregular shapes and varying sizes; however, the zirconia‐graphene composite showed the presence of pores and agglomerates due to the plasma heat‐treatment process. The uniform dispersion of the elements in both ceramic composites confirmed the efficiency of the applied method. The magnetic characterizations of the green and sintered zirconia‐magnetic particles and zirconia‐graphene composites were studied in a wide range of magnetic fields and temperatures (5 to 300 K). Before sintering, the magnetite phase commanded the magnetic response of the zirconia‐magnetic particles composite, showing a ferrimagnetic behavior, after sintering, the hematite phase content increased by approximately 27%, causing a change in the ferrimagnetic order to antiferromagnetic. It was found that the 1% graphene insertion in the zirconia ceramic composite was responsible for the ferromagnetic behavior of the sintered composite. Ceramic composites become future candidates for technological applications in spintronic devices and magnetic storage.