Deciphering the inert atmosphere degradation patterns in hybrid silicones

Structurally similar silicone ceramers were synthesized by sol-gel processing of organic silanes. The chemical structures of the hardened ceramer materials were investigated by studying the gaseous products produced during elevated temperature heating. Fourier transformation infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were utilized to study the degradation phenomenon in the ceramers. The pyrolyzed residues were analyzed by Raman and 29Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The surfaces of the residues were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results from the characterization techniques were utilized to investigate the degradation mechanisms of the ceramer materials.