Facile Route to Non-Oxide Ceramics

Conference Year

January 2021

Abstract

The field of high-performance ceramics has advanced quickly, and in turn, there has been an increase in the production of these materials. These ceramics have a variety of applications, ranging from mechanical tools to electronics. There is a specific class of these materials, the non-oxide semiconductors, that have been subject to significant theoretical analysis, but the synthesis of these materials has fallen behind the theoretical work. Our group has discovered a generalizable synthesis to produce group 13-15 (III-V) ceramics and novel nitrides that we could expand to target unique formulations as highlighted by theoretical research. Through simple transmetallation reactions of group 13 and 15 compounds, a ceramic precursor is obtained. Thermolysis of these precursors leads to the formation of the respective ceramic material. We can also form adducts of 13-15 compounds, which are generally air-stable and when thermolyzed, can lead to the respective ceramic. This methodology allows us to obtain III-V ceramic materials through a highly efficient and low-energy method. In short, we propose to have the capability to expand on this generalizable synthesis in order to include novel and understudied ceramics while being guided by theoretical research.

Primary Faculty Mentor Name

Rory Waterman

Graduate Student Mentors

Brandon J. Ackley

Faculty/Staff Collaborators

Brandon J. Ackley (Graduate Student Mentor), Rory Waterman (Principal Investigator)

Status

Graduate

Student College

Graduate College

Program/Major

Chemistry

Primary Research Category

Engineering & Physical Sciences

Abstract only.

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Facile Route to Non-Oxide Ceramics

The field of high-performance ceramics has advanced quickly, and in turn, there has been an increase in the production of these materials. These ceramics have a variety of applications, ranging from mechanical tools to electronics. There is a specific class of these materials, the non-oxide semiconductors, that have been subject to significant theoretical analysis, but the synthesis of these materials has fallen behind the theoretical work. Our group has discovered a generalizable synthesis to produce group 13-15 (III-V) ceramics and novel nitrides that we could expand to target unique formulations as highlighted by theoretical research. Through simple transmetallation reactions of group 13 and 15 compounds, a ceramic precursor is obtained. Thermolysis of these precursors leads to the formation of the respective ceramic material. We can also form adducts of 13-15 compounds, which are generally air-stable and when thermolyzed, can lead to the respective ceramic. This methodology allows us to obtain III-V ceramic materials through a highly efficient and low-energy method. In short, we propose to have the capability to expand on this generalizable synthesis in order to include novel and understudied ceramics while being guided by theoretical research.