Biomorphic SiC: porous SiC and ultrafine SiC powder formation through biomimicking route. (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdul Karim, Gulnar; Ghosh, Abhijit; Rao, Rekha; Krishnan, Madangopal
• Is Part Of: Advances in applied ceramics. Volume 120:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Silicon carbide -- biomorphic -- particle size -- milling; Ceramics -- Periodicals; 620.1405
• DOI: 10.1080/17436753.2020.1842106
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-6753

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Natural wood is a ready-to-use template for making porous silicon carbide (SiC) body. Biomorphic β-SiC was synthesised from wood of a mango (Mangifera Indica) tree. Carbon template was made by carbonising this wood at 1000°C in argon gas atmosphere. Thus formed template was repeatedly infiltrated with a mixture of tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS) (in alcohol) and oxalic acid solution (aqueous). Heat treatment at 1600°C for 1 h in vacuum converted the infiltrated template to β-SiC with a complex hierarchical cellular structure- a mimic of the plant structure. To produce phase pure SiC, unreacted carbon (C) and silica (SiO2 ) (if any) were removed by burning in air followed by treating with hydrofluoric acid. Mono dispersed SiC powder having particle size of ∼225 nm has been obtained by crushing, grinding and milling of thus formed biomorphic SiC body. A grinding limit is reported for the first time in SiC system.