| Abstract Scope |
Polymer-derived SiCN ceramics, obtained by pyrolyzing polysilazane precursors, possess excellent thermal and chemical stability, making them suitable for high-temperature and harsh-environment applications, such as aerospace. SiMCN ceramics (M = Hf, Zr) offer even greater performance due to the in-situ formation of high-melting-point phases like HfC and ZrC. This study explores the temperature-dependent structural evolution during the polymer-to-ceramic transformation in SiMCN systems, where M = Hf, Zr, and Ti. The ceramics were synthesized by pyrolyzing a mixture of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene and a single-source precursor formed by reacting organosilicon polymers with organometallic hafnium and zirconium compounds. Incorporation of Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene enhanced the microstructure by reducing porosity and improving densification. Furthermore, samples with MXene fillers exhibited reduced mass loss and shrinkage during pyrolysis. The final products were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine their composition and microstructure. |