Influence of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on phase development and porosity of SiOC/rGO ceramic composites

Ceramic materials based on silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were produced by polymer pyrolysis and evaluated in terms of phase development and porosity. Carbonaceous phase, initially prepared from graphite oxide, was incorporated into silicone dihydroxy terminated in different amounts (0, 5, 15 and 25 wt%) and submitted to pyrolysis at 1500 degrees C to obtain SiOC/rGO ceramics. Higher ceramic yields and more thermally stable materials were obtained after rGO addition, whose results were associated to the chemical interaction degree between rGO and polymer structure. C-graphite and SiC phases were generated in rGO-containing ceramics and a mixture of alpha- and beta-SiC was achieved from 15 wt% rGO, enhancing their crystallinity with increasing of rGO content. Porosity features were influenced by the carbonaceous phase amount and different rGO-polymer interaction degrees. SiOC/rGO ceramics demonstrated desirable structural characteristics for future investigations in electrical and/or electrochemical applications.

Automated summary

SiOC/rGO ceramics were prepared by incorporating rGO, which resulted in higher ceramic yields and improved thermal stability. The addition of rGO also enhanced the crystallinity of the ceramics, with porosity features being influenced by the amount of carbon phase and the interaction degree between rGO and the polymer. These ceramics showed promising structural characteristics for future investigations in electrical and/or electrochemical applications.