Synthesis of centimeter-scale monolithic SiC nanofoams and pore size effect on mechanical properties

By pressure infiltrating pre-ceramic polymer polycarbosilane (PCS) into thermally and mechanically stable silica nanofoam, followed by PCS pyrolysis and silica template removal, synthesis of large-scale monolithic SiC nanofoams has been accomplished. Tailoring of the porosity and cell size of the SiC nanofoam has been realized by dissociating the porosity and pore size of the silica nanofoam. Because of the surface hardening and increased surface volume ratio of deformable nanopores, with the same porosity, the decrease of nanopore size has led to an increase in the quasi-static and dynamic indentation resistance for SiC nanofoams.