ZrC-ZrB2-SiC ceramic nanocomposites derived from a novel single-source precursor with high ceramic yield

For the first time, ZrC-ZrB2-SiC ceramic nanocomposites were successfully prepared by a single-source-precursor route, with allylhydridopolycarbosilane (AHPCS), triethylamine borane (TEAB), and bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconium dichloride (Cp2ZrCl2) as starting materials. The polymer-to-ceramic transformation and thermal behavior of obtained single-source precursor were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that the precursor possesses a high ceramic yield about 85% at 1000 degrees C. The phase composition and microstructure of formed ZrC-ZrB2-SiC ceramics were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Meanwhile, the weight loss and chemical composition of the resultant ZrC-ZrB2-SiC nanocomposites were investigated after annealing at high temperature up to 1800 degrees C. High temperature behavior with respect to decomposition as well as crystallization shows a promising high temperature stability of the formed ZrC-ZrB2-SiC nanocomposites.