Efficient heterostructure promoter of SiC nanowires formed in situ via one-step pyrolysis for polymer-derived ceramics

Polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) endowed with outstanding mechanical properties, chemical and thermal resistance are highly demanded for applications in extreme environments, whereas their practical applications have constantly been constrained by structural collapse and the brittle nature of ceramics at high temperatures. A novel methodology was proposed to boost the growth efficiency of SiC nanowires by one-step pyrolysis prepared heterostructure promoter in situ during the process of PDCs. The quantity and dispersibility of heterogeneous promoter have been markedly enhanced through one-step pyrolysis. Furthermore, the heterostructure promoter prepared via ligand exchange between ferrocene and Zr atoms exhibited nano-flower structure and greater specific surface area, thereby possessing higher adsorption capacity for reaction intermediates by providing more reaction sites. This was accountable for the enhancement of growth efficiency of nanowires and gave rise to the formation of a crack-free ceramics phase with higher strength, lower brittleness and multifunctionality. The yield of ceramics attained 87.84% under the impact of the heterogeneous promoter. In contrast to other promoter, heterogeneous promoter was capable of promoting a greater number of SiC nanowires with higher aspect ratios and more homogeneous distribution. Furthermore, SiC nanowires featuring core-shell structure were grown in hybrid resin by heterostructure promoter during the process of PDCs. The successful fabrication of this heterogeneous promoter offered a promising perspective for the emerging responsive ceramifiable technology.