Ceramics

Ceramics are inorganic, nonmetallic materials (such as carbides, oxides and nitrides) made by shaping at a high temperature. Ceramics are hard, brittle, heat- and corrosion-resistant, and most often have a crystalline structure.

Latest Research and Reviews

Research
13 January 2023 | Open Access

Machine learning-driven synthesis of TiZrNbHfTaC₅ high-entropy carbide
- Alexander Ya. Pak
- , Vadim Sotskov
- & Alexander G. Kvashnin
npj Computational Materials 9, 7
Research
07 January 2023 | Open Access

Nanostructure and nanoindentation study of pulse electric-current sintered TiB₂–SiC–C_f composite
- Mohammadreza Shokouhimehr
- , Seyed Ali Delbari
- & Ho Won Jang
Scientific Reports 13, 379
Research
06 January 2023 | Open Access

Polymer-derived SiOC reinforced with core–shell nanophase structure of ZrB₂/ZrO₂ for excellent and stable high-temperature microwave absorption (up to 900 °C)
- Yujun Jia
- , Ni Yang
- & Chengying Xu
Scientific Reports 13, 267
Research
19 December 2022 | Open Access

Interfacial properties of SiC_f/SiC minicomposites with a scheelite coating
- Na Ni
- , Binbin Wu
- & Chuanwei Li
Scientific Reports 12, 21950
Research
01 December 2022 | Open Access

Cr²⁺ solid solution in UO₂ evidenced by advanced spectroscopy

Chromia is an important additive used in uranium dioxide fuel fabrication, but its incorporation mechanism is still not fully understood. Here, the authors use X-ray absorption spectroscopy, including both near edge and extended fine structure regions, to resolve the local structure and valence state of chromium, as divalent, in uranium dioxide.
- Hannah Smith
- , Luke T. Townsend
- & Claire L. Corkhill
Communications Chemistry 5, 163
Research
14 November 2022 | Open Access

Theoretical insights into the Peierls plasticity in SrTiO₃ ceramics via dislocation remodelling

Many ceramics and semiconductors are brittle at moderate temperatures, which can be a concern for applications. Here authors present a theoretical approach based on local misfit energy to accurately derive the Peierls stress and model the dislocation process in SrTiO₃, which provides insights into the plasticity around room temperature.
- Yi Li
- , Xiangyang Liu
- & Chunlei Wan
Nature Communications 13, 6925

All Research & Reviews

News and Comment

News & Views | 24 April 2020

Achieving a better heat conductor

Finding a competitor for diamond as a good heat conductor remains challenging. Measurements on crystals of cubic boron nitride demonstrate a thermal conductivity of 1,600 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹ at room temperature, rivalling diamond.
- Ashutosh Giri
- & Patrick E. Hopkins
Nature Materials 19, 482-484
Comments & Opinion | 09 April 2019

Georg Bednorz

Georg Bednorz, together with Karl Alexander Müller, discovered high-temperature superconductivity (HTS) in ceramics, for which they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1987. Christine Horejs talks to Georg Bednorz about the successes and challenges of his research on HTS, applications of HTS materials, and the key ingredients for scientific discoveries.

Nature Reviews Materials 4, 292-293
News & Views | 10 December 2018

Order in one dimension

A crystal structure with one-dimensional order is identified in oxide ceramics, which is distinguished from the well-known categories of solid structures and potentially provides unexpected properties.
- Eric A. Stach
Nature Materials 18, 4-6
Editorial
25 July 2017 | Open Access

Standing the test of time
- N. Birbilis
- & S. Gin
npj Materials Degradation 1, 3
Comments & Opinion | 22 July 2016

Advanced structural ceramics in aerospace propulsion

Humankind's aerospace aspirations are placing unprecedented demands on vehicle propulsion systems. Advanced structural ceramics are playing a key role in addressing these challenges.
- Nitin P. Padture
Nature Materials 15, 804-809
News & Views | 22 April 2014

Turning brittleness into toughness

Nacre-like bulk ceramics with a unique combination of high toughness, strength and stiffness can be produced from brittle constituents by an ice-templating approach.
- André R. Studart
Nature Materials 13, 433-435