Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Henry J Tracy

Dietmar Seyferth

Jennifer L Robison

David P Workman

Nathan Bryson

Ceramic compositions can be formed by the pyrolysis of a particulate metal, which forms a component of the ceramic, and another metal, which forms another component of the ceramic.

Ceramic synthesis by pyrolysis of metal-containing polymer and metal

A method of forming modified preceramic polymers comprising mixing organopolysilanes having a plurality of Si--H functional groups with an effective amount of a metallocene compound, and allowing the mixture to undergo a dehydrogenative reaction is disclosed. Pyrolysis of the modified polymer provides in high yields ceramic residues that approach stoichiometric SiC in composition. Preferably the organopolysilane starting material contains a plurality of tertiary Si--H bonds and has the general formula of [(RSiH).sub.x (RSi).sub.y ].sub.n where the sum of the coefficients x and y equal 1, n is an integer greater than 1, R is a lower alkyl group having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkenyl group having from 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to about 10 carbon atoms. More preferably R is a lower alkyl group having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably R is methyl so that the molar ratio of carbon to silicon of the polymer is about 1. The organopolysilanes can be prepared from silyl halides by alkali metal condensation reactions.

Growing community of inventors

Bath, ME, United States of America

Henry J Tracy