Boron carbide nitride derived from amine-boranes

This paper reports that amine-boranes such as pyridine- or piperazine-borane can be converted into infusible polymers by thermal crosslinking at temperatures up to 420 degrees C. Further rise of the temperature up to 1050 degrees C in argon results in transformation of the polymers into black residues. Microstructural (TEM/EELS, ESCA) and chemical investigations indicate the presence of single phase boron carbide nitrides which exhibit a graphite-like, turbostratic structure with a homogeneous distribution of the elements B, N, and C. Subsequent annealing at 2200 degrees C in argon gives rise to crystallization of the pyrolytic material generating the thermodynamically stable phases BN, C, and B4C. The semiconducting properties of the X-ray amorphous boron carbide nitride synthesized at 1050 degrees C depend on the B/N/C-ratio which can be influenced by the type of amine-borane-precursor and by the applied atmosphere (Ar or NH3) during pyrolysis. The amine-boranes can be converted into boron carbide nitride- and BN-monoliths at 1050 degrees C under argon or reactive gas (NH3), respectively. The monoliths are transformed into composites with 91% rel. density containing BN, C, and B4C when heated up to 2200 degrees C