Polymer-derived Si3N4−ZrO2 nanocomposite powders

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Abstract
A Zr-modified polycarbosilane has been obtained reacting a zirconium alkoxide with a polycarbosilane. This new preceramic polymer has been nitridated in flowing ammonia up to 1000 °C. The conversion process of the polymer precursor to the Si–N–Zr–O ceramic has been followed mainly by FT-IR, XRD, and TEM investigations. The formation of the Si–N–Si network starts at 600 °C. At 1000 °C the system can be described as an amorphous silicon nitride ceramic in which very fine zirconia-based particles are dispersed. Increasing the temperature to 1300 °C results in the crystallization of t-ZrO2 microcrystals (35 Å in size). At higher temperatures the crystallization of the silicon nitride matrix into β–Si3N4 has been observed.