Enhanced fracture toughness of three dimensional graphene-hydroxyapatite nanocomposites by employing the Taguchi method

In this study, we demonstrate enhanced mechanical properties of three-dimensional graphene/hydroxyapatite (3DG/HA) nanocomposites by employing the Taguchi method. The hydrothermal process time, the total pressure, the hydrothermal temperature, and the weight percent of graphene to the hydroxyapatite were considered as control parameters. The results showed that all parameters were effective in controlling the process. According to the findings, the hydrothermal temperature had the greatest effect on the results. The predicted strength fracture toughness was 2.08 +/- 0.03 MPa.m(0.5), which is within the 90% confidence interval. Microscopic analysis confirmed the presence of graphene sheets with folding and wrinkling in the powders and indicated that various preferential directions played a role in the growth of hydroxyapatite crystals.