Structural evaluation of polysilane-derived products: from amorphous to thermodynamically stable phases

• Published in: Philosophical magazine (Abingdon, England) England), 2004-03, Vol.84 (7), p.647-671
• Main Authors: Li, Xudong, Edirisinghe, Mohan J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical and knight shifts; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Infrared and raman spectra and scattering; Magnetic resonances and relaxations in condensed matter, mössbauer effect; Nuclear magnetic resonance and relaxation; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Organic compounds, polymers; Physics
• ISSN: 1478-6435; 1478-6443
• DOI: 10.1080/14786430310001627395

A polysilane with a C-to-Si ratio of 6.0 was pyrolysed to produce an amorphous matrix (source powder), which was heated further to obtain different products. These polysilane-derived samples were studied using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, solid-state magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and transmission electron microscopy. The source powder is a hydrogenated matrix composed of free carbon, random SiC 4 sites and trace SiCO species. Pyrolysis of the source powder leads to the nucleation and growth of SiC and progressive organization of free carbon. SiC forms at 1100°C and fast growth appears at 1700°C accompanied by obvious weight loss. SiC decomposition also occurs at high temperatures, which leads to the formation of relatively well-organized carbon. The structural evolution is discussed and compared with the literature.