Synthesis and ceramic conversion of a novel processible polyboronsilazane precursor to SiBCN ceramic

Polyboronsilazane (PBSZ) precursors for SiBCN ceramics were prepared by using 9-borabicyclo-[1,3,3] nonane (9-BBN) and copolysilazanes (CPSZ) as starting materials, involving the hydroboration reaction between vinyl groups of PSZ and BH groups of 9-BBN under mild conditions. The as-synthesized PBSZ was obtained as a soluble liquid, which was characterized by FT IR and NMR. The polymer-to-ceramic conversion of PBSZ at a ceramic yield of 62.2–79.9% was investigated by means of FT IR and TGA. The crystallization behavior and microstructures of PBSZ-derived SiBCN ceramics were studied by XRD, SEM and HRTEM. The SiBCN ceramic began to crystallize at 1600 °C. Further heating at 1800 °C induced partial crystallization to give mixed XRD patterns for SiC, Si3N4, and BN(C). It is observed that the introduction of boron improves the thermal stability of SiBCN ceramics, especially under high temperatures of 1600–1800 °C. In addition, the introduction of boron significantly improves the ceramic density while inhibits the SiC crystallization.