Structural evolution during pyrolysis of sol-gel derived hybrid materials

Siloxane-titania materials have been prepared starting from diethoxydimethylsilane and titanium isopropoxide. The transparent starting gels can be described as nanocomposites formed with siloxane chains and TiO₂-based particles. The pyrolysis process under argon atmosphere up to 1600°C has been followed by various techniques such as infrared and solid state NMR spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction and Ti K-edge X-ray Absorption. Si-C bond cleavage begins at low temperature leading to redistribution reactions with the formation of new Si-O bonds. Crystallization of TiO₂ at low temperature is prevented and titanium carbide starts to form around 800°C. Samples pyrolyzed at 1600°C show the presence of SiO₂ and TiC crystalline phases.