Binder derived semi-conductive graphite/alumina composites via novel one-step pulsed electric current sintering

[Display omitted] •Semi-conductive graphite/alumina ceramic composites were successfully fabricated by a novel and facile approach via pulsed electric current sintering of binder embedded alumina powders.•The fabricated graphite/alumina ceramic composites exhibit superior semi-conductive properties.•The carrier type in fabricated composites can be easily modified by adding polycarboxylic acid as a dispersant. Semi-conductive graphite/Al2O3 ceramic composites were successfully fabricated via a novel and facile approach by pulsed electric current sintering of binder embedded Al2O3 powders, which were prepared by a simple ball-milling assisted mixing of Al2O3 powder with polyvinyl alcohol solution. By altering the sintering conditions with respects to temperature and pressure controlling and concentration of binder, relative density, and microstructure of fabricated graphite/Al2O3 ceramic composites, and the electrical properties were schematically investigated in this study. The fabricated graphite/Al2O3 ceramic composites exhibit superior semi-conductive properties. Moreover, the carrier type in fabricated semi-conductive graphite/Al2O3 composites was successfully modified by adding polycarboxylic acid as a dispersant in binder embedded Al2O3 powders. The contents in this work present a new strategy for the design and development of functional ceramic composites.