Effect of boron on the crystallization of amorphous Si–(B–)C–N polymer-derived ceramics

Amorphous Si–(B–)C–N polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) with a boron content ranging from 0 to 8.3 at.%, were synthesized by thermolysis of boron-modified poly(methylvinylsilazane). Correlation of the boron content and the thermal stability of these materials in the course of annealing were investigated using high temperature thermal gravimetric analysis (HT-TGA). Furthermore, the initial crystallization of the as-thermolyzed amorphous ceramics was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The increase of boron content promotes the crystallization of SiC, and inhibits the crystallization of Si3N4. Moreover, the ratio of α-Si3N4/β-Si3N4 in crystalline ceramic decreases with increasing boron content. Thermodynamic modeling proves the influence of boron content on driving force for crystallization. The available thermodynamic model of amorphous Si–C–N domains, nano-crystalline silicon nitride, and nano-crystalline silicon carbide treated as the separated phases has been used to interpret these results.