title: SiCN nanofibers with a diameter below 100 nm synthesized via concerted block copolymer formation, microphase separation, and crosslinking.
abstract: SiCN fibers with a mean diameter of 50 nm and an aspect ratio of up to 100 are produced in a two-step process by R. Kempe and co-workers. The key step to fabricate the longitudinal and cross-sectional views of the mesofibers shown here is a concerted block-copolymer synthesis, microphase separation, and cross linking at 140 °C followed by pyrolysis at 1100 °C. Inexpensive components like a commercially available silazane and polyethylene are linked. The fibers may find application in electronic devices, as components of ceramic matrix composites, as fiber beds in high-temperature nano-filtering like diesel fine dust removal, or as thermally robust and chemically inert catalyst supports. Furthermore, the SiCN nanofibers introduced on page 984 are a promising alternative to ultrathin carbon fibers, due to their oxidation resistance.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl Anorganische Chemie II, Universität Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Saravana K T
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: Winfried P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Kretschmer
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Denner
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Motz
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hund
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fery
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trebbin
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Förster
authors.forename: Rhett
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kempe
mesh_terms: D003486:Cyanides / Q000737:chemistry*; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017655:Silicon Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003486:Cyanides; D011108:Polymers; D017655:Silicon Compounds