Polymer-Derived Ordered Mesoporous Silicon-Boron-Carbon-Nitrogen (Si/B/C/N) Ceramics

Ordered mesoporous silicon-based non-oxide ceramics are attracting increasing interest thanks to their outstanding high-temperature stability and their anticipated robustness. In this category of materials, periodic ordered silicon-boron-carbon-nitrogen (Si/B/C/N) frameworks represent an excellent opportunity for use in harsh environments in key fields like heterogeneous catalysis and/or hydrogen storage. In this review, the nanocasting approach to these materials is summarized on the basis of the synthesis of boron-modified polysilazanes, the solution infiltration of carbonaceous and silica templates, the pyrolysis of the composites followed by the template removal step. The as-obtained micron-sized powders are characterized and potential applications discussed.