Macroporous SiOC Ceramics with Dense Struts by Positive Sponge Replication Technique

Highly porous SiOC ceramics (≥90% open porosity) containing dense struts have been prepared following positive sponge replication technique using silsesquioxane based preceramic polymer. The morphological features including cell size, cell window size, and strut size of the macroporous SiOC ceramics have been analyzed using electron microscopy. Subtle variation in the crosslinking condition of the preceramic polymer infiltrated polyurethane template enables the formation of hollow as well as dense struts, which has a profound influence on compressive strength of the macroporous bodies. Synchrotron radiation micro computed tomography is used to construct the three dimensional images of the macroporous ceramics that indicate isotropy of the pores and excellent interconnectivity.