Final Activity Report Summary - POLYCERNET (Tailored multifunctional Polymer-derived nanoCeramics)
Critical technologies of the future, biotechnology, sensors, optical computing and communication, energy, transportation and space require new materials endowed with properties that reach far beyond those of existing materials. These new materials must be designed from molecules. Their functionality will derive from the nanostructures that are constructed from these molecules. This project has responded to this emerging need by focusing on new multifunctional ceramic materials with tailored nanostructure that are synthesized from polymers. These Polymer-Derived nanoCeramics (PDCs) are fascinating new structures which cannot be produced by traditional powder sintering processes. Instead the novel properties of the PDCs, which are made by controlled pyrolysis of the polymer, evolve from the molecular structure of the polymer. These unusual properties include a high resistance to creep, oxidation and corrosion, up to temperatures as high as 1500oC. Nanoclusters and nanopores within the PDCs, with specially functionalized interfaces and surfaces, can introduce functional properties such as photo- and electroluminescence, semiconductivity sensitivity and permeability to specific gases.
Within this consortium seven universities, one research institute, and four industries have collaborated to conduct research and train 16 young and emerging leaders in the science and application of a this new class of ceramics.
The scientific breakthrough obtained by this network include the;
(i) Design of molecular precursors for achieving multifunctional properties such as optical luminescence for white led devices,
(ii) The understanding and characterization of the evolution of the nanostructure of the ceramic from the polymeric state (it has been shown that the architecture of the starting precursors can influence the nanostructure and properties of the resulting ceramics).
(iii) The synthesis of ordered mesoporous high surface area PDCs.
(iv) The fabrication of monolithic BN componets by warm pressing preceramic polymers.
The network has published more 50 peer reviewed papers, has presented more than 67 oral contribution to international conferences (8 of which were invited talks) 2 national patents and has organised 2 international symposia. As an outcome of this collaboration a book has been published on Polymer Derived Ceramics as well as a feature article in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society.
Within this consortium seven universities, one research institute, and four industries have collaborated to conduct research and train 16 young and emerging leaders in the science and application of a this new class of ceramics.
The scientific breakthrough obtained by this network include the;
(i) Design of molecular precursors for achieving multifunctional properties such as optical luminescence for white led devices,
(ii) The understanding and characterization of the evolution of the nanostructure of the ceramic from the polymeric state (it has been shown that the architecture of the starting precursors can influence the nanostructure and properties of the resulting ceramics).
(iii) The synthesis of ordered mesoporous high surface area PDCs.
(iv) The fabrication of monolithic BN componets by warm pressing preceramic polymers.
The network has published more 50 peer reviewed papers, has presented more than 67 oral contribution to international conferences (8 of which were invited talks) 2 national patents and has organised 2 international symposia. As an outcome of this collaboration a book has been published on Polymer Derived Ceramics as well as a feature article in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society.