High Performance Ceramic Functional Materials

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

High-performance ceramic functional materials—such as dielectric, thermoelectric, electrolyte, and semiconducting materials—are in high demand for various modern applications, ranging from energy conversion systems to electronic devices. The research and application of these materials are inherently multidisciplinary, bridging materials science, physics, chemistry, engineering, and other fields. To advance this area, it is crucial to decode the intricate relationships among microstructure, properties, and high-performance functionalities of advanced ceramics through integrated approaches that combine novel processing methods, computational modeling, and advanced characterization techniques. Articles exploring breakthroughs in functional ceramics, addressing the intrinsic processing–structure–property relationships, and proposing new research strategies are particularly encouraged.

Dr. Letao Yang
Prof. Dr. Hua Hao
Dr. Qinghu Guo
Dr. Zhonghua Yao
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Nano applnano	-	4.6	2020	15.7 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Ceramics ceramics	2.0	3.7	2018	20.4 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Crystals crystals	2.4	5.0	2011	12.7 Days	CHF 2100	Submit
Energies energies	3.2	7.3	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Materials materials	3.2	6.4	2008	15.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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All Applied Nano Ceramics Crystals Energies Materials

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44 pages, 17930 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Synergistic Hf-rGO Reinforcement in Copper: A Pathway to Electrically Functional, Wear-Resistant Hybrid Composites

by Cevher Kürşat Macit, Bünyamin Aksakal, Merve Ayık, Turan Gurgenc and Yusuf Er

Crystals 2026, 16(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16020134 - 12 Feb 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 491

Abstract

Copper (Cu) is widely used in electrical and thermal management systems; however, its low hardness and limited dry sliding wear resistance reduce long-term reliability in friction-loaded conductive components. In this study, Cu–Hf and Cu–Hf–rGO hybrid composites were fabricated by powder metallurgy using 1.0–5.0 [...] Read more.

Copper (Cu) is widely used in electrical and thermal management systems; however, its low hardness and limited dry sliding wear resistance reduce long-term reliability in friction-loaded conductive components. In this study, Cu–Hf and Cu–Hf–rGO hybrid composites were fabricated by powder metallurgy using 1.0–5.0 wt.% Hf and 1.0–2.0 wt.% reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The microstructure and phase evolution were characterized by SEM/EDS and XRD. Electrical conductivity and hardness were measured, while tribological performance was evaluated by dry sliding wear tests based on mass loss. Post-wear surface characteristics were analyzed by AFM and LFM to assess nanoscale topography and frictional behavior. The hybrid composites exhibited composition-dependent multifunctional enhancements. Electrical conductivity increased from approximately 3.0 × 10⁶ S/m (~5.2% IACS) for pristine Cu to about 2.0 × 10⁷ S/m (~34.5% IACS) for the composite reinforced with 3.0 wt.% Hf and 2.0 wt.% rGO, indicating an optimum Hf–rGO combination that preserves continuous conductive pathways. Hardness increased from 60 ± 3 HV_0.30 to 159 ± 12 HV_0.30 for the composite containing 5.0 wt.% Hf and 2.0 wt.% rGO, demonstrating the dominant contribution of Hf to matrix strengthening and load-bearing capacity. The mass loss after 1000 m of sliding distance decreased from about 0.12 g for Cu to approximately 0.01 g for the 5.0 wt.% Hf–2.0 wt.% rGO hybrid composite, consistent with the concurrent increase in hardness and reduction in frictional shear during sliding. Nanoscale surface analyses revealed reduced surface roughness and frictional response, supporting the formation of a smoother and lower-friction sliding interface in rGO-containing composites. Overall, Hf enhanced load-bearing capacity through matrix strengthening, while rGO contributed to stabilizing conductive pathways and solid lubrication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic High Performance Ceramic Functional Materials)

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17 pages, 6220 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Erbium Orthoniobate-Tantalates: Structural, Luminescent and Mechanical Properties of ErNb_xTa_1−xO₄ Ceramics and Bactericidal Properties of ErNbO₄ Powder

by Mikhail Palatnikov, Olga Shcherbina, Nadezhda Fokina, Maxim Smirnov, Elena Zelenina, Sofja Masloboeva and Diana Manukovskaya

Ceramics 2025, 8(4), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics8040130 - 22 Oct 2025

Viewed by 864

Abstract

Fine powders of erbium niobate-tantalates ErNb_xTa_1−xO₄ (x = 0; 0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 0.7; 0.9; 1) have been synthesized by the liquid-phase method in this study. Ceramic samples have been prepared using conventional sintering from these powders. Rietveld refinement [...] Read more.

Fine powders of erbium niobate-tantalates ErNb_xTa_1−xO₄ (x = 0; 0.1; 0.3; 0.5; 0.7; 0.9; 1) have been synthesized by the liquid-phase method in this study. Ceramic samples have been prepared using conventional sintering from these powders. Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns of polycrystals determined the phase composition and clarified the parameters of the phase structure of ErNb_xTa_1−xO₄ solid solutions depending on the Nb/Ta ratio. The morphological features of the microstructure of erbium niobate-tantalate ceramics have been studied. Their mechanical properties, strength characteristics (Young’s modulus, microhardness) and critical stress intensity factor of the first kind K_IC have been estimated. The photoluminescent properties of ceramic solid solutions of erbium niobate-tantalates depending on the composition have been studied. Dark and photoinduced toxicity of finely dispersed ErNbO₄ powders have been studied in relation to Gram-positive, Gram-negative and spore-forming microorganisms. The best indicators of antibacterial activity of ErNbO₄ have been demonstrated in relation to Gram-positive cells of Micrococcus sp. The discovered properties open up the possibility of not only traditional use as functional materials, but also the use of these materials for disinfection of surfaces, water and biological tissues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic High Performance Ceramic Functional Materials)

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