The Preparation of Silicon-Containing Ceramics by Organosilicon Polymer Pyrolysis
Abstract
Silicon-containing ceramics include the oxide materials, silica and silicates; the binary compounds of silicon with non-metals, principally silicon carbide and silicon nitride; silicon oxynitride and the sialons; main group and transition metal silicides, and, finally, elemental silicon itself. There is a vigorous research activity throughout the world on the preparation of all of these classes of solid silicon compounds by the newer preparative techniques. Silicon carbide SiC and silicon nitride Si3N4, have been known for some time. Their properties, especially their high thermal and chemical stability, their hardness, their high strength, as well as other properties have led to useful applications for both of these materials. The design of useful, (i.e., potentially commercializable) organosilicon preceramic polymers presents an interesting challenge to the synthetic chemist. We have attempted, using examples from some of our research, to convey some of the chemical considerations which we feel are important if such a synthesis is to be successful. Our initial experiment in this area, the reaction of ammonia with dichlorosilane, was carried out. Gary H. Wiseman developed the dehydrocyclodimerization route to useful preceramic polymers and widened our horizons into the fascinating area of ceramics. Dr. Timothy G. Wood studied the action of Methyldichlorosilane and carried out the first graft synthesis of the polysilazane/polysilane hydride polymer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA197633
Entities
People
- Dietmar Seyferth
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology