2012/02/14 by Romil Bhandavat, Gurpreet Singh · 2 citations
Materials Science · #Carbon Nanotubes in Composites #Advanced ceramic materials synthesis #Graphene research and applications
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1551-2916.2012.05079.x
openalex publication_date 2012/02/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Carbon nanotubes ( CNT ) and polymer‐derived ceramics ( PDC s) are of interest due to their unique multifunctional properties. CNT s, however, tend to lose their well‐defined structure and geometry at about 400°C in air. PDC s on the other hand are structureless in X‐ray diffraction but show high chemical and thermal stability in air (up to ~1400°C). Herein, we demonstrate synthesis of a composite nanowire structure consisting of polymer‐derived silicon boron‐carbonitride ( Si–B–C–N ) shell with a multiwalled carbon nanotube core. This was achieved through a novel process involving preparation of a boron‐modified liquid polymeric precursor through a reaction of trimethyl borate and poly (ureamethylvinyl) silazane under normal conditions; followed by conversion of polymer to ceramic on carbon nanotube surfaces through controlled heating. Chemical structure of the polymer was studied by liquid‐Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ( NMR ) while evolution of various ceramic phases was studied by solid‐ NMR , Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction confirm presence of amorphous Si(B)CN coating on individual nanotubes for all specimens processed below 1400°C. Thermogravimetric analysis, followed by R aman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed high temperature stability of the carbon nanotube core in flowing air up to 1000°C.