| Nanocrystalline materials have demonstrated substantial changes in physical, chemical, and mechanical properties at severely diminished length scales. The extraordinary mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), have prompted intense research into a wide range of applications in materials, electronics, chemical processing, and energy management. Attempts have been made to develop advanced engineering materials with improved or novel properties through the incorporation of carbon nanotubes in various matrices (polymers, metals, and ceramics). However, the potential application of carbon nanotubes in the reinforcement of ceramic composites has not yet been successfully demonstrated. Recently, we have successfully realized this possibility in reinforcing nanocrystalline ceramics through the use of a fast, comparably lower temperature, sintering technique e.g., Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). SWCNTs were also successfully used to convert insulating nanoceramics to metallically conductive composites. Additionally, SWCNTs have been demonstrated as outstanding thermal barrier materials in ceramic systems for the first time. Novel thermoelectric properties have also been found recently in these nanocomposites. Such multifunctional carbon nanotube/ceramic composites are envisaged for a wide range of applications. These results will be discussed in the context of microstructural investigations and mechanistic interpretation. The current status and the challenges for the development of carbon nanotube composites are also outlined. In addition, recent findings on novel processing of transparent nanoceramic composites and new forming method for high-strain-rate and low-temperature superplasticity of nanocrystalline ceramic composites will be presented. |
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