Synthesis of soluble and meltable pre‐ceramic polymers for Zr‐containing ceramic nanocomposites

Polymer‐derived methods are one of the most important tools for the synthesis of ceramics with a finely dispersed microstructure. In this study, a soluble and meltable ZrC/C pre‐ceramic polymer, P‐DACZ, (which would later exhibit a high ceramic yield of 71 wt%) was synthesized via radical polymerization. By adding low molecular weight polycarbosilane in any proportion during the radical polymerization process of P‐DACZ, a soluble and meltable ZrC/SiC/C pre‐ceramic precursor, PCS‐DACZ (which would later exhibit a high ceramic yield of >80 wt%) was synthesized. After annealing at 1400 °C under an argon flow, the precursors converted into bulk ZrC/C and ZrC/SiC/C ceramic nanocomposites. The ZrC nanoparticles could resist any grain growth when heat‐treated at temperatures above 1800 °C because the C or SiC matrix prevented long‐range atomic diffusion of zirconium. Such ceramic nanocomposites would be suitable for structural and (multi)functional applications at harsh environments with high temperatures.