One-pot synthesis of a C/SiFeN(O)-based ceramic paper with in-situ generated hierarchical micro/nano-morphology

In the present study, a C/SiFeN(O)-based ceramic paper with in situ generated hierarchical micro/nano-morphology was prepared upon thermal treatment of a cellulose-base paper surface-modified with a polymeric single-source precursor prepared from perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) and iron(II) acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)2). The ammonolysis at 1000 °C of the paper/precursor hybrid materials leads to a C/SiFeN(O)-based ceramic paper which exhibits the same morphology as that of the cellulose paper. Subsequent annealing of the ceramic paper in nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures from 1200 to 1400 °C results in the in-situ generation of ultra-long silicon nitride nanowires with aspect ratios in the range of 103 on the surface and in the macropores of the ceramic paper. The nanowires exhibit round Fe3Si tips at the end, indicating that the growth occurred via iron-catalyzed VLS (vapor-liquid-solid) mechanism. The combination of single-source precursor, porous template and in situ VLS growth of 1D nanostructures provides a convenient one-pot synthesis approach to produce ceramic nanocomposites with hierarchical morphologies.