Ceramic nanocomposites prepared via the in situ formation of a novel TiZrN2 nanophase in a polymer-derived Si3N4 matrix

The first demonstration of a nanoscaled titanium zirconium nitride (TiZrN2) single-phase isolated during the preparation polymer-derived silicon (Si3N4) matrix nanocomposites is discussed. We employed polysilazane, which was chemically modified with Zr[N(CH2CH3)2]4 and Ti[N(CH3)2]4 then ammonolyzed before pyrolysis step under ammonia (1000 °C) heat-treatment in flowing nitrogen (1000–1700 °C). Based on careful control precursor chemistry early stage process nano-/microstructural investigations material performed its preparation, we were able to identify TiZrN2 nanocrystals size as low 9 nm distributed α- β-Si3N4 phases at temperature 1500 °C. particularly proved that nanophase could be generated because use polysilazane evoluting towards covalently-bonded Si3N4 . This unique nanostructure expected provide particular functionality noble metal-free catalysts components high plasmonic quality.