| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T23: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Controlled Synthesis, Processing, and Applications of Structural and Functional Nanomaterials
|
| Presentation Title |
Polymer Grafted Zirconia Nanoparticles as a Processible Precursor to Zirconium-based Ceramics |
| Author(s) |
James Ponder, Nicholas D Posey, Kara L Martin, Matthew B Dickerson |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
James Ponder |
| Abstract Scope |
The functionalization of preceramic polymers (PCPs) onto inorganic cores to yield grafted nanoparticles (GNPs) combines the processability of PCPs with greater tunability and increased mass retention upon pyrolysis from the ceramic cores. Previously, we have reported that grafting of polycarbosilanes onto silica (SiO2) cores produces a flowable material that yields polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) upon thermal treatment (i.e. curing) and pyrolysis. Extending this method towards the preparation of ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTCs), we now report zirconia (ZrO2) cores functionalized with polycarbosilane coronas that are converted to zirconium-containing PDCs upon pyrolysis. Excess carbon in the coronas results in carbothermal reduction of the ZrO2 cores to yield zirconium carbide (ZrC). The kinetics of this process are monitored as a function of both peak pyrolysis temperature and time at the peak temperature. This system is a promising candidate for the additive manufacturing of ZrC-based ceramic-matrix composites for high-temperature applications. |