Formation of ZrC-SiC Composites from the Molecular Scale through the Synthesis of Multielement Polymers

In the field of non-oxide ceramic composites, and by using the polymer-derived ceramic route, understanding the relationship between the thermal behaviour of the preceramic polymers and their structure, leading to the mechanisms involved, is crucial. To investigate the role of Zr on the fabrication of ZrC-SiC composites, linear or hyperbranched polycarbosilanes and polyzirconocarbosilanes were synthesised through either "click-chemistry" or hydrosilylation reactions. Then, the thermal behaviours of these polymeric structures were considered, notably to understand the impact of Zr on the thermal path going to the composites. The inorganic materials were characterised by thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To link the macromolecular structure to the organisation involved during the ceramisation process, eight temperature domains were highlighted on the TG analyses, and a four-step mechanism was proposed for the polymers synthesised by a hydrosilylation reaction, as they displayed better ceramic yields. Globally, the introduction of Zr in the polymer had several effects on the temperature fragmentation mechanisms of the organometallic polymeric structures: (i) instead of stepwise mass losses, continuous fragment release prevailed; (ii) the stability of preceramic polymers was impacted, with relatively good ceramic yields; (iii) it modulated the chemical composition of the generated composites as it led, inter alia, to the consumption of free carbon.