Fabrication and properties of ceramic 1D nanostructures from preceramic polymers: a review

AbstractThis paper reviews different methodologies for the fabrication of various ceramic one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures (nanotubes/fibres/wires/belts, etc.) produced by using preceramic polymers. Diverse processing approaches together with a wide range of precursor types enable the fabrication of 1D nanostructures with varied morphology, composition, purity as well as yield. The strategies used are based on three different methods; starting with the utilisation of decomposition gases which are released upon pyrolysing the preceramic polymer precursors at high temperatures, with the absence or presence of a catalytic metal source. The second is the template modulated synthesis routes (i.e. infiltration of the polymeric precursor melt or solution inside a template porosity, polymer to ceramic conversion followed by the removal of the template), and the last strategy discussed is electrospinning.