Synthesis, Processing And Characterization Of Biopolymer Derived Ceramics

Nathan Dubrouillet

School Name

Governor's School for Science and Math

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Engineering

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Dr. Pilla; Department of Automotive Engineering, Clemson University

Abstract

Polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) are at the forefront of ceramics research due to their energy- and cost-efficient processing. PDCs also offer a wide array of tunable properties, as well as lower density than conventional ceramics. However, current polymers are derived from non-renewable resources. In order to improve sustainability, this work aims at producing a polymeric blend with a biopolymer as one of the constituents. Varying amounts (5 – 80 wt%) of epoxidized pine oil (EPO) were added to polyhydromethylsiloxane (PHMS) to obtain a polymeric blend. During crosslinking, the polymer foams due to the evolution of a gaseous byproduct, H2. The volumetric expansion ratio of the foamed blend was ascertained. The as-foamed polymer was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis to determine the thermolysis temperature and the ceramic yield. The as-foamed polymeric blend was thermolyzed at 1000°C, attained with a heating rate of 5°C/min for 1 hour in an inert atmosphere to obtain a SiOC ceramic. Density, open porosity, and closed porosity were determined for both the as-foamed polymer and the as-thermolyzed ceramic. The as-thermolyzed ceramic was characterized using XRD to determine the crystallinity, and SEM to determine the porosity, pore size, and pore distribution. The PDC’s created in this study are now ready for further investigation, such as Raman spectroscopy to determine the presence of excess free carbon, as well as mechanical and thermoelectric properties ascertained as a function of porosity.

Location

Owens G07

Start Date

4-16-2016 9:45 AM

COinS
 
Apr 16th, 9:45 AM

Synthesis, Processing And Characterization Of Biopolymer Derived Ceramics

Owens G07

Polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) are at the forefront of ceramics research due to their energy- and cost-efficient processing. PDCs also offer a wide array of tunable properties, as well as lower density than conventional ceramics. However, current polymers are derived from non-renewable resources. In order to improve sustainability, this work aims at producing a polymeric blend with a biopolymer as one of the constituents. Varying amounts (5 – 80 wt%) of epoxidized pine oil (EPO) were added to polyhydromethylsiloxane (PHMS) to obtain a polymeric blend. During crosslinking, the polymer foams due to the evolution of a gaseous byproduct, H2. The volumetric expansion ratio of the foamed blend was ascertained. The as-foamed polymer was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis to determine the thermolysis temperature and the ceramic yield. The as-foamed polymeric blend was thermolyzed at 1000°C, attained with a heating rate of 5°C/min for 1 hour in an inert atmosphere to obtain a SiOC ceramic. Density, open porosity, and closed porosity were determined for both the as-foamed polymer and the as-thermolyzed ceramic. The as-thermolyzed ceramic was characterized using XRD to determine the crystallinity, and SEM to determine the porosity, pore size, and pore distribution. The PDC’s created in this study are now ready for further investigation, such as Raman spectroscopy to determine the presence of excess free carbon, as well as mechanical and thermoelectric properties ascertained as a function of porosity.