Amorphous SiCxOy coatings from ladder-like polysilsesquioxanes

Pyrolysis of polysiloxane and/or polysilsesquioxane polymers is a very promising method for advanced ceramics processing. Xerogels obtained by polycondensation of siloxanes containing methyl groups bonded to silicon atoms are precursors in this method. The ratio of Si–O and Si–C bonds depends on the type of xerogel. In the presented work the xerogel materials of ladder-like structure were studied. Pyrolysis was carried out for several hours in argon (absolutely free from oxygen) at 800 °C. The glassy SiCxOy ceramics (black glass) with intrinsic homogeneity on the atomic level were obtained. The formation of black glasses was confirmed by MIR and MAS NMR spectroscopy.