3rd International Conference on Emerging Trends in Scientific Research 25-26 April, 2015 Pearl International Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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.