Synthesis of a soluble preceramic polymer for ZrC using 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol as carbon source

Abstract

A preceramic polymer for ZrC was successfully synthesised by chemical reaction between zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl₂·8H₂O) and 2-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol via a one-pot route. The molecular structure, thermal properties and pyrolysis behaviour of the precursor were investigated. The results indicated that the precursor might be Zr–O–Zr chain polymer with 2-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol as ligand. The precursor was air-stable and exhibited excellent solubility in common organic solvents. The conversions from precursor to ZrC powders were investigated by TG-DTA, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscope, TEM and Raman spectrum. The precursor underwent a thermal decomposition in four steps, and ZrC powders were formed at 1300°C via carbothermal reduction reaction of ZrO₂ and carbon in argon with ceramic yield of 63.0%. The ZrC particles were fine and exhibited irregular polyhedron morphology with average size in the range of 100–300 nm.