Dr Victor Kitso Manisa


About

My research project

Publications

V.K. Manisa, M Porter, M. J. Whiting, R. A. Dorey (2022), In: Ceramics international48(11)pp. 15839-15847 Elsevier Ltd

This paper explores the processing of an alumina matrix composite with a percolating network of graphene oxide (GPO), which exhibits a moderate electric resistivity and a near zero temperature coefficient of resistance. Different formulations of GPO鈥揳lumina composites were processed using a water鈥揵ase blending, and, the pellets were densified by pressureless sintering under Argon flow. Electrical conduction at room temperature was achieved in the 2聽wt % GPO鈥揳lumina composite sintered at 1400聽掳C, and, the 3聽wt % GPO鈥揳lumina composites sintered at 1400, 1550 and 1700聽掳C. An investigation of the degradation of electrical conductivity was used to identify potential stable operating regimes in which these materials could be used as heaters. Thermogravimetric analysis using the Ozawa鈥揊lynn鈥揥all method, was used to determine the kinetic parameters of a 3聽wt % GPO composite sintered at 1400聽掳C which, had an activation energy for GPO degradation of 195聽卤聽68聽kJ/mol and, an estimated thermal lifetime of 8.7聽卤聽0.8 years for a conversion of 0.5聽wt % (failure criterion) at an application temperature of 340聽掳C.