Effect of Temperature and Ceramization Atmosphere on the Structure and Microstructure of Boron-Modified SiBOC Materials

Boron-modified ceramic materials derived from polymers (PDC) are the subject of this research. The primary objective is to compare the structure and microstructure of SiBOC materials obtained in varying pyrolysis conditions in comparison to base SiOC materials. The preparation involved a number of stages, staring with the hydrolytic polycondensation method, followed by the initial thermal treatment and the final stage-pyrolysis process in argon or argon/hydrogen atmospheres at different temperatures. Bulk SiOC and SiBOC glasses were thoroughly analyzed. Microstructure studies included Scanning Electron Microscopy and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry. Moreover, to confirm the structure, the research consisted of Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The conducted research confirmed boron incorporation into the material structure in all samples. A free carbon phase has also been observed in SiBOC glasses, which has been confirmed in Raman spectroscopy measurements. This research indicates that in particular conditions, it is possible to obtain amorphous materials with nanocrystalline inclusions. This paper proves that the introduction of boron increases the porosity of materials and enhances their thermal stability.