Novel 0D-nanocarbon-silica ceramic composites: sol–gel synthesis and high-temperature evolution. Issue 21 (15th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ott, Alexander; Rogg, Simone; Lauterbach, Stefan; Kleebe, Hans-Joachim; Hess, Christian; Mera, Gabriela
• Is Part Of: Dalton transactions. Volume 49:Issue 21(2020)
• Page Start: 7144
• Page End: 7154
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/d0dt01016b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9226

Abstract

Abstract : Novel mesoporous, high specific surface area (up to 562 m 2 g −1 ) 0D-nanocarbon-based silicon-containing ceramic composites were produced by a straightforward sol–gel method followed by polymer-to-ceramic transformation. Abstract : Herein we report the synthesis of novel 0D-nanocarbon-based silicon-containing ceramic composites by a facile salt-free synthesis method followed by polymer-to-ceramic transformation. 0D-nanocarbon–silica composites were synthesized via a one-pot sol–gel process using tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) and functionalized nanodiamonds and converted subsequently via pyrolysis under an argon atmosphere into nanodiamond/silica nanocomposites. The thermal conversion of the nanodiamond phase to a multilayer fullerene phase was carefully investigated by integral and local characterization methods such as vibrational spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, BET, SEM and HRTEM. The incorporation of nanodiamonds in a silica matrix enhances the crystallization temperature of the silica phase, as α-cristobalite, to 1500 °C, while their full graphitization is shifted to T > 1700 °C under an argon atmosphere. The thermal decomposition of the nanodiamond/silica composites leads to the formation of materials with a high specific surface area (up to 562 m 2 g −1 ) and a mesoporous structure. No carbothermal reaction of composing phases was identified. The results obtained in the present study allow for designing advanced and highly-defined mesoporous 0D-nanocarbon-containing composites with tailored structural features and multifunctional property profiles.