Engineering of silicon-based ceramic fibers: Novel SiTaC(O) ceramic fibers prepared from polytantalosilane

A novel variety of silicon-based ceramic fibers has been prepared from a preceramic organosilicon polymers called polytantalocarbosilane (PTaCS). This melt-spinnable polymer has been synthesized by thermally induced reactions between tantalum (V) tetraethoxyacetylacetonate (Ta(Acac)(OEt)4) and polysilacarbosilane (PSCS). The polymer in which [–Si–C–]n chains are crosslinked via Ta-containing bridges as identified by infrared spectroscopy, XPS and NMR, is decomposed in high ceramic yield (76%) and can be spun in the molten state into fibers to be cured in air then pyrolyzed in flowing nitrogen at 1200 °C into amorphous SiTaC(O) fibers. Complete characterization of this new generation of silicon-based ceramic fibers was made based on mechanical tests, XRD and SEM. These fibers exhibit relatively good mechanical properties and excellent high-temperature stability with good oxidation resistance.