Towards a surface functionalisation and grafting of a polycarbosilane onto zirconium carbide particles for the development of hybrid core-shell structures

Abstract In order to achieve future ZrC/SiC core-shell structures, hybrid ZrC-polycarbosilane materials were synthesised. To fabricate these organic coated non-oxide ceramics, the surface was first functionalised with allylchlorodimethylsilane (ACDMS) in a simple procedure. The organic covalent grafting of the carbosilane onto zirconium carbide particles was confirmed by XPS, TEM and TG-MS analyses. The effect of the temperature and of the organosilicon molecule concentration has also been investigated to check their role on the functionalisation efficiency of zirconium carbide surfaces. The modified surfaces with allyl groups were then subjected to a hydrosilylation reaction to graft a polycarbosilane. XPS, together with TG-MS and TEM images confirmed the presence of an organic coating with a thickness up to 30 nm, indicating the presence of core (ZrC)/shell (polycarbosilane) structures.