Bioinspired cross-linking of preceramic polymers via metal ion coordination bonding

Metal coordination chemistry is common in biology, with many proteins containing metal ion-based structural motifs or catalytic centers. An interesting example of nature’s use coordinate bonding to create a proteinaceous material found the Alitta virens marine worm jaw. Inspired by Zn+2 cross-linked polymers A. virens, we have extended cross-linking preceramic polymers. Commercially available Si-based backbones functionalized pyridyl-moieties were introduced ions initiate cross-linking. offered single knob tune multiple characteristics before and after pyrolysis. The loading into polymer impacted viscoelastic properties, thermal stability, ceramic yield. Pyrolysis yielded representative ion cross-linker (e.g., forming TiC/SiC nanocomposites).