Journal of Microwave Power and Electromagnetic Energy (JMPEE)
TITLE	Polymeric Synthesis of Silicon Carbide with Microwaves [PDF]
AUTHORS	Juan Aguilar, Luis Urueta and Zarel Valdez 2005 40 3 145-154
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Abstract The aim of this work is conducting polymeric synthesis with microwaves for producing β-SiC. A polymeric precursor was prepared by means of hydrolysis and condensation reactions from pheniltrimethoxysilane, water, methanol, ammonium hydroxide and chloride acid. The precursor was placed into a quartz tube in vacuum; pyrolysis was carried out conventionally in a tube furnace, and by microwaves at 2.45 GHz in a multimode cavity. Conventional tests took place in a scheme where temperature was up to 1500°C for 120 minutes. Microwave heating rate was not controlled and tests lasted 60 and 90 minutes, temperature was around 900°C. Products of the pyrolysis were analyzed by means of x-ray diffraction; in the microwave case the diffraction patterns showed a strong background of either very fine particles or amorphous material, then infrared spectroscopy was also employed for confirming carbon bonds. In both processes β-SiC was found as the only produced carbide.