Preparation of SiC nanowires-filled cellular SiCO ceramics from polymeric precursor

SiC nanowires-filled cellular SiCO ceramics were prepared using polyurethane sponge as a porous template infiltrated with silicone resin by pyrolysis at 1400 °C under Ar atmosphere. The pyrolysis temperature was an important parameter affecting the formation of SiC nanowires. The as-prepared sample obtained at 1000 °C was composed of SiCO glasses and turbostratic carbon. The SiCO ceramic was further converted into SiO2 crystals and amorphous carbon by pyrolysis at 1200 °C. With the increasing pyrolysis temperature, SiC nanocrystals embedded in the non-crystalline SiCO matrix were observed. Furthermore, the SiC nanowires were formed in the pores of the SiCO ceramic. The diameters of the SiC nanowires are in the range 80–150 nm and the lengths are up to several tens of micrometers. The growth mechanism of the nanowires was supported by the vapor-solid mechanism.