In Situ Formation of the TiCN Phase in SiBCN Ceramic Aerogels Enabling Superior Thermal and Structural Stability up to 1800 °C
Xiaoliang Sun, Wenxia Zhu, Huijie Wang, Xiao Yan, Dong Su
Abstract
Ceramic aerogels show excellent thermal insulation and functional performance for their unique nanoporous structure. However, conventional ceramic aerogels often undergo structural collapse and performance deterioration in high-temperature environments due to sintering, crystallization, and/or phase transition. Here, we designed a TiCN/SiBCN ceramic aerogel in which the TiCN phase was in situ formed through a carbothermal reaction during pyrolysis. Benefiting from its unique pearl-necklace-like structure, the TiCN/SiBCN aerogel exhibits a high specific surface area (248 m 2 /g), a low thermal conductivity (0.08 W/m·K), and a considerable compressive strength (2.2 MPa). The formation of a stable TiCN phase endows the aerogel with significant resistance to thermal decomposition and crystallization up to 1800 °C. Moreover, the TiCN/SiBCN aerogel retains high surface area and low thermal conductivity after thermal treatment, indicative of the stability and reliability of the nanoporous structure. The TiCN/SiBCN ceramic aerogel with superior thermal and structural stability is an ideal candidate for structural and functional applications in high-temperature environments.