SiC/SiO2 coating for improving the oxidation resistive property of carbon nanofiber

The SiC/SiO2 deposition was performed to improve the oxidation resistive properties of carbon nanofiber (CNF) from electrospinning at elevated temperatures through sol–gel process. The stabilized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers were coated with SiO2 followed by heat treatment up to 1000 and 1400 °C in an inert argon atmosphere. The chemical compositions of the CNFs surface heat-treated were characterized as C, Si and O existing as SiC and SiO2 compounds on the surface. The uniform and continuous coating improved the oxidation resistance of the carbon nanofibers. The residual weight of the composite was 70–80% and mixture of SiC, SiO2 and some residual carbon after exposure to air at 1000 °C.