Ceramics and Nanostructures from Molecular Precursors

TLDR

Elaborating solids from the molecular scale by kinetically controlled methods is a major challenge, yet offers wide prospects because the organic unit provides versatility, kinetic control allows diverse textures, and the solids can become nanostructured, while mixed ceramics with interpenetrating networks are inaccessible by thermodynamic routes. The study aims to enable the design of solids with desired properties by demonstrating methods for preparing solids from molecular precursors. The authors present one‑pot synthesis of rheologically controlled SiC, access to a new ceramic, and hybrid material chemistry via inorganic polymerization from molecular precursors.

Abstract

The elaboration of solids from the molecular scale by a kinetically controlled methodology is one of the main challenges of molecular chemistry. In the long term, this should permit the design of solids with desired properties. Here, some examples are given which show a few methods that have been used for the preparation of solids from molecular precursors. The one-pot synthesis of rheologically controlled SiC is described. Access to a new kind of ceramic is obtained by the same methodology using molecular precursors. Mixed ceramics with interpenetrating networks are not accessible by the chemical thermodynamic route. The chemistry of hybrid materials obtained from molecular precursors through inorganic polymerization is presented. This class of materials offers wide perspectives because of 1) the large possibilities opened by the organic unit, 2) the kinetic control, which permits any kind of texture for the solid, and 3) the aptitude of these solids to become nanostructured.