Polymer-Derived High-Temperature Nonoxide Materials: A Review

This review is focused on an attractive class of polymer-derived high-temperature ceramics, namely, polymer-derived nonoxide materials. With a brief introduction of high-temperature nonoxides, the origin of using polycarbosilane (PCS) polymer melt spinning to synthesize silicon carbide (SiC) fibers is traced back. For SiC formation, the four stages for the conversion from polymer precursors to microcrystalline ceramics are examined first: crosslinking, polymer decomposition, ceramic formation, and crystallization. Also, the important parameters related to PCS pyrolysis are explained, and polymer-derived SiC microstructures and compositions are evaluated. Solid-solution carbides and transition metal carbides are further reviewed. For boride materials, the discussion is focused on transition metal borides and boride composites. Similar to PCS conversion to SiC, nitride materials mostly start with polycarbosilazane (PSZ) precursors and form into the final materials through pyrolysis. With different carbide and nitride precursors mixed and pyrolyzed together, high-temperature nonoxide composites are formed. Such molecular-level intermixing and versatile capability of forming different shapes enable many exciting properties. Among these are mechanical and thermal properties, along with electrical conductivity, electromagnetic shielding, and charge storage capability. An overview of applications of polymer-derived nonoxides is provided, followed by a summary and outlook.