The effect of trace amounts of copper on the microstructure, stability and oxidation of macroporous silicon carbide. Issue 14 (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hvam, Jeanette; Morgen, Per; Skou, Eivind M.; Wolff, Thomas; Warner, Terence E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 36:Issue 14(2016:)
• Page Start: 3279
• Page End: 3284
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Silicon carbide -- Copper -- Controlled oxidation -- Porosity -- Catalyst support; Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2016.02.054
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

Abstract: Trace amounts of copper have advantageous effects when creating macroporous silicon carbide monoliths to be used for combined diesel particle filter and catalyst support systems. These structures were produced from a slurry of silicon, graphite, aluminium and copper. Mixed with water, extruded and dried, the resulting bodies were pyrolyzed, sintered, and then partially oxidized, to yield a mechanically stable porous 4H-SiC microstructure with an average pore diameter of 20 μm and average accessible porosity of 57%. The Cu alloys with the Si and Al to create the sintered body via a liquid phase, and prevents the build-up of undesirable Al-containing ternary carbide crystals in the microstructure. The Cu promotes oxidation of SiC to form a 80 nm SiO2 layer that serves as a good catalyst support. The accelerated oxidation can be intercepted by dissolving the Cu component from the monoliths with an acid solution.