The multifunctional metastable SiBOCN system ceramics (including SiBN, SiCN, SiON, SiBC, SiBCN, SiBON, SiBOCN, etc.) are a new type of advanced structure–function integrated materials with unique structure and adjustable dielectric properties for high-temperature applications in thermal protection, communications, precise guidance, and microwave-absorption stealthy. These metastable materials generally require the rational co-design of multiscale structure and chemical composition to achieve desirable dielectric properties which induce interaction with incident electromagnetic wave. Herein, this review presents the latest development of metastable SiBOCN system ceramics, with the intent of summarising key findings, uncovering major trends and providing guidance for future efforts. Major themes in this assessment focus on the main processing routes, basic mechanisms for microwave transmission and absorption, scientific basis for material selection in specific background, principles for multiscale structure design and chemistry optimisation, tunable microwave transparent or absorbing properties, and future challenges and prospects in this active research filed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
QinFBrosseauC.A review and analysis of microwave absorption in polymer composites filled with carbonaceous particles. J Appl Phys. 2012;111(6).
2.
KongLBLiZWLiuLRecent progress in some composite materials and structures for specific electromagnetic applications. Int Mater Rev. 2013;58:203–259.
3.
YinXKongLZhangLElectromagnetic properties of Si-C-N based ceramics and composites. Int Mater Rev. 2014;59:326–355.
4.
GreenMChenX.Recent progress of nanomaterials for microwave absorption. J Materiomics. 2019;5:503–541.
WrightPVChambersBBarnesAProgress in smart microwave materials and structures. Smart Mater Struct. 2000;9:273–279.
7.
JiaDCLiangBYangZHMetastable Si-B-C-N ceramics and their matrix composites developed by inorganic route based on mechanical alloying: fabrication, microstructures, properties and their relevant basic scientific issues. Prog Mater Sci. 2018;98:1–67.
8.
ZhangPJiaDCYangZHProgress of a novel non-oxide Si-B-C-N ceramic and its matrix composites. J Adv Ceram. 2012;1:157–178.
9.
WangBZLiDXYangZHMicrostructural evolution and mechanical properties of in situ nano Ta4HfC5 reinforced SiBCN composite ceramics. J Adv Ceram. 2020;9:739–748.
10.
LiaoNJiaDCYangZHEnhanced mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of Si2BC3N ceramics with SiC coated MWCNTs. J Adv Ceram. 2019;8:121–132.
11.
WangJYYangZHDuanXMMicrostructure and mechanical properties of SiCf/SiBCN ceramic matrix composites. J Adv Ceram. 2015;4:31–38.
12.
KittelC.On the theory of ferromagnetic resonance absorption. Phys Rev. 1948;73:155–161.
13.
RadoGT.Magnetic spectra of ferrites. Rev Mod Phys. 1953;25:81–89.
14.
LiZWWuYPLinGQ.Doping effect on complex permeability and permittivity for W-type barium ferrite composites. J Appl Phys. 2007;102:8.
15.
TemuujinJAoyamaMSennaMPreparation and properties of ferromagnetic Z-type hexaferrite from wet milled mixtures of intermediates. J Magn Magn Mater. 2007;311:724–731.
16.
TruongVTRiddellSZMuscatRF.Polypyrrole based microwave absorbers. J Mater Sci. 1998;33:4971–4976.
17.
HuoJWangLYuH.Polymeric nanocomposites for electromagnetic wave absorption. J Mater Sci. 2009;44:3917–3927.
ChenYJCaoMSWangTHMicrowave absorption properties of the ZnO nanowire-polyester composites. Appl Phys Lett. 2004;84:3367–3369.
20.
SheWBiHWenZTunable microwave absorption frequency by aspect ratio of hollow polydopamine@α-MnO2 microspindles studied by electron holography. ACS Appl Mater Inter. 2016;8:9782–9789.
21.
YangCCGungYJHungWCInfrared and microwave absorbing properties of BaTiO3/polyaniline and BaFe12O19/polyaniline composites. Compos Sci Technol. 2010;70:466–471.
22.
LiuZBaiGHuangYMicrowave absorption of single-walled carbon nanotubes/soluble cross-linked polyurethane composites. J Phys Chem C. 2007;111:13696–13700.
23.
FanZLuoGZhangZElectromagnetic and microwave absorbing properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polymer composites. Mater Sci Eng B. 2006;132:85–89.
24.
JainARogojevicSPonothSPorous silica materials as low-k dielectrics for electronic and optical interconnects. Thin Solid Films. 2001;398-399:513–522.
25.
LiYChenFLiLGas pressure sintering of arbitrary porous silicon nitride ceramics with high mechanical strength. J Am Ceram Soc. 2010;93:1565.
26.
ZhangZDuanXMQiuBFPreparation and anisotropic properties of textured structural ceramics: a review. J Adv Ceram. 2019;8:289–332.
27.
RileyFL.Silicon nitride and related materials. J Am Ceram Soc. 2000;83:245–265.
28.
WeiDQMengQCJiaDC.Mechanical and tribological properties of hot-pressed h-BN/Si3N4 ceramic composites. Ceram Int. 2006;32:549–554.
29.
TianZDuanXMYangZHAblation mechanism and properties of in-situ SiAlON reinforced BN-SiO2 ceramic composite under an oxyacetylene torch environment. Ceram Int. 2014;40:11149–11155.
30.
LongNNBiBJWangWLMechanical properties and microstructure of porous BN-SiO2-Si3N4 composite ceramics. Ceram Int. 2012;38:2381–2387.
31.
JacobsonNHarderBMyersD.Oxidation transitions for SiC part I. active-to-passive transitions. J Am Ceram Soc. 2013;96:838–844.
32.
CaiDLChenFFMHeFMRecent progress and prospestion on high-temperature wave-transparent ceramic materials. Adv Ceram. 2019;40:4.
33.
CheRCPengLMDuanXFMicrowave absorption enhancement and complex permittivity and permeability of Fe encapsulated within carbon nanotubes. Adv Mater. 2004;16:401–405.
34.
WenQBYuZJRiedelR.The fate and role of in situ formed carbon in polymer-derived ceramics. Prog Mater Sci. 2020;109:100623.
35.
ColomboPMeraGRiedelRPolymer-derived ceramics: 40 years of research and innovation in advanced ceramics. J Am Ceram Soc. 2010;93:1805.
36.
ViardAFonblancDLopez-FerberDPolymer derived Si-B-C-N ceramics: 30 years of research. Adv Eng Mater. 2018;20:1800360.
37.
StablerCIonescuEGraczyk-ZajacMSilicon oxycarbide glasses and glass-ceramics: “All-rounder” materials for advanced structural and functional applications. J Am Ceram Soc. 2018;101:4817–4856.
38.
ZanchettaECattaldoMFranchinGStereolithography of SiOC ceramic microcomponents. Adv Mater. 2016;28:370–376.
39.
FuSYZhuMZhuYF.Organosilicon polymer-derived ceramics: An overview. J Adv Ceram. 2019;8:457–478.
40.
FenskeKMisraD.Dielectric materials at microwave frequencies. Appl Microw Wirel. 2000;12:92.
41.
ValentinottiMWalterSModenaSLow dielectric constant porous BN/SiCO made by pyrolysis of filled gels. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2007;27:2529–2533.
LichteneckerKRotherK.Deduction of the logarithmic mixture law from general principles. Phys Z. 1931;32:255.
44.
ZhangWRWangCHLiLSi3N4-BN-SiO2 based microwave-transparent materials. Key Eng Mater. 2008;368-372:913–916.
45.
SongYX. Preparation and properties for broadband wave-transparent two dimensional silica fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites [doctoral dissertation]. National University of Defense Technology; 2010.
46.
LingQCSunJZZhaoQMicrowave-absorbing properties of linear low-density polyethylene/ethylene–octene copolymer/carbonyl iron powder composites. J Appl Polym Sci. 2009;111:1911–1916.
47.
LiLYWangJFMaHAchieving all-dielectric metamaterial band-pass frequency selective surface via high-permittivity ceramics. Appl Phys Lett. 2016;108:122902.
48.
WangPWangXMQiaoLHigh-frequency magnetic properties and microwave absorption performance of oxidized Pr2Co17 flakes/epoxy composite in x-band. J Magn Magn Mater. 2018;468:193–199.
49.
KumarAAgarwalaVSinghD.Effect of milling on dielectric and microwave absorption properties of SiC based composites. Ceram Int. 2014;40:1797–1806.
50.
VinoyKJJhaRM.Radar absorbing materials: from theory to design and characterization. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 1996.
51.
ZhaoDLLuoFZhouWC.Microwave absorbing property and complex permittivity of nano SiC particles doped with nitrogen. J Alloys Compd. 2010;490:190–194.
52.
HardenBN. Dielectric properties of crystal quartz at high frequencies. Physical Sciences, N. Z. Science congress; Wellington; 1947.
53.
BottomVE.Dielectric constants of quartz. J Appl Phys. 1972;43:1493–1495.
54.
SuginoTTaiTEtouY.Synthesis of boron nitride film with low dielectric constant for its application to silicon ultralarge scale integrated semiconductors. Diamond Relat Mater. 2001;10:1375–1379.
55.
DingSQZengYPJiangDL.Oxidation bonding of porous silicon nitride ceramics with high strength and low dielectric constant. Mater Lett. 2007;61:2277–2280.
56.
JiaDCShaoYFLiuBYCharacterization of porous silicon nitride/silicon oxynitride composite ceramics produced by sol infiltration. Mater Chem Phys. 2010;124:97–101.
57.
ZhaoDLZhangYJGongHYBN nanoparticles/Si3N4 wave-transparent composites with high strength and low dielectric constant. J Nanomater. 2011;2011:1.
58.
LiXMZhangLTYinXW.Effect of chemical vapor deposition of Si3N4, BN and B4C coatings on the mechanical and dielectric properties of porous Si3N4 ceramic. Scripta Mater. 2012;66:33–36.
59.
ZhangLJinHBCaoMS.Investigation on high-temperature dielectric properties of SiO2 composite materials. Rare Metal Mater Eng. 2007;36:515.
60.
CaoMSJinHBLiJGAblated transformation and dielectric of SiO2/SiO2 nanocomposites dipped with silicon resin. Key Eng Mater. 2007;336–338:1239–1241.
61.
TianHLiuHTChengHF.Effects of SiC contents on the dielectric properties of SiO2f/SiO2 composites fabricated through a sol-gel process. Powder Technol. 2013;239:374–380.
62.
PlaceT. Properties of BN-3DX, a 3-dimensional reinforced boron nitride composite. The 13th Symposium on Electromagnetic Windows; Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, Georgia, USA; 1976.
63.
PlaceTM.Jr Low loss radar window for reentry vehicle, US Patent; 1988.
64.
ChenMWGeMGW.Zhang, preparation and characterization of hollow BN fibers derived from organic precursors. J Inorg Mater. 2012;27:1216–1222.
65.
LiGY. The preparation and perofrmance of structural-functional intergrative FRCMCs [Master thesis]. Tianjin University; 2015.
66.
ZouCR. Fabrication and performance of continous nitride fiber reinforced boron nitride wave-transparant ceramic matrix composites [docttoral dissertation]. National University of Defense Technology; 2016.
67.
LiGYLiangYY.Preparation and perofrmance of fiber reinforced SiBN ceramic matrix composites. Aerosp Mater Technol. 2016;46:61.
68.
LiGYLiangYY.The dielectric and mechanical properties of Mullitef/SiBN composite. Adv Ceram. 2016;37:270.
69.
LiQYangZHMiaoYEffect of the BN content on the thermal shock resistance and properties of BN/SiO2 composites fabricated from mechanically alloyed SiBON powders. RSC Adv. 2017;7:48994–49003.
70.
LiQYangZHZhongJEffect of the starting AlN content on the phase formation and property of the novel in-situ fabricated X-SiAlON/BN composites. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2019;39:934–943.
71.
SunYSYangZHCaiDLMechanical, dielectric and thermal properties of porous boron nitride/silicon oxynitride ceramic composites prepared by pressureless sintering. Ceram Int. 2017;43:8230–8235.
72.
SunYSCaiDLYangZHEffect of holding time on microstructure, mechanical, water resistance and dielectric properties of α-cordierite glass-ceramic coating on porous BN/Si2N2O ceramic. Ceram Int. 2018;44:15764–15769.
73.
TangYWangJSLiXPreparation of high performance Si-B-N ceramic fibers by polymer derived method. Acta Chim Sin. 2009;67:2750.
74.
LiuYPengSCuiYJFabrication and properties of precursor-derived SiBN ternary ceramic fibers. Mater Des. 2017;128:150–156.
75.
TangYWangJLiXDPolymer-derived SiBN fiber for high-temperature structural/functional applications. Chem-Eur J. 2010;16:6458–6462.
76.
SuWQWuNWangBFabrication and microwave-transparent property of fluffy SiBNO ultrafine fibers by electrospinning. Mater Lett. 2018;216:228–231.
77.
DuanWYYinXWLiQA review of absorption properties in silicon-based polymer derived ceramics. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2016;36:3681–3689.
78.
BabuTGDevasiaR.Simple and low-cost synthetic route for SiBCN ceramic powder from a boron-modified cyclotrisilazane. J Am Ceram Soc. 2019;102:476–489.
79.
RiedleRRuswischLMAnLAmorphous silicoboron carbonitride ceramic with very high viscosity at temperatures above 1500°C. J Am Ceram Soc. 1998;81:3341–3344.
80.
KrokeELiYLKonetschnyCSilazane derived ceramics and related materials. Mater Sci Eng R. 2000;26:97–199.
81.
LuoCJTangTSJiaoTHigh-temperature stable and metal-free electromagnetic wave-absorbing SiBCN ceramics derived from carbon-rich hyperbranched polyborosilazanes. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2018;10:28051–28061.
82.
YeFZhangLYinXWDielectric and EMW absorbing properties of PDCs-SiBCN annealed at different temperatures. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2013;33:1469–1477.
83.
SongCKYeFLiuYSMicrostructure and dielectric property evolution of self-healing PDC-SiBCN in static air. J Alloys Compd. 2019;811:151584.
84.
QinHLLiuYSYeFDielectric and microwave absorption properties of SiCnw-SiBCN composite ceramics deposited via chemical vapor infiltration. J Alloys Compd. 2019;771:747–754.
85.
ZhangYJYinXWYeFEffects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the crystallization behavior of PDCs-SiBCN and their improved dielectric and EM absorbing properties. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2014;34:1053–1061.
86.
HeYQLiXYZhangJXDielectric and microwave absorption properties of AlN-SiBCN lossy ceramics. Int J Appl Ceram Technol. 2018;15:522–530.
87.
LuoCJJiaoTTangYSExcellent electromagnetic wave absorption of iron-containing SiBCN ceramics at 1158 K high-temperature. Adv Eng Mater. 2018;20:1701168.
88.
LiuYSChaiNLiuXFThe microstructure and dielectric properties of SiBCN ceramics fabricated via LPCVD/CVI. J Am Ceram Soc. 2015;98:2703–2706.
89.
ZhaoMXLiuYSChaiNEffect of SiBCN content on the dielectric and EMW absorbing properties of SiBCN-Si3N4 composite ceramics. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2018;38:1334–1340.
90.
LiJPZhaoMXLiuYSMicrostructure and dielectric properties of LPCVD/CVI-SiBCN ceramics annealed at different temperatures. Mater. 2017;10:655.
91.
ChengZLLiuYSYeFMicrostructure and EMW absorbing properties of SiCnw/SiBCN-Si3N4 ceramics annealed at different temperatures. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2020;40:1149–1158.
SongCKChengLFLiuYSMicrostructure and electromagnetic wave absorption properties of RGO-SiBCN composites via PDC technology. Ceram Int. 2018;44:18759–18769.
94.
YeFZhangLTYinXWDielectric and microwave-absorption properties of SiC nanoparticle/SiBCN composite ceramics. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2014;34:205–215.
95.
SongCKLiuXFYeFMechanical and dielectric properties of SiCf/BN/SiBCN composites via different synthesis technologies. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2019;39:4417–4423.
96.
YueWZhaoYSMXYeFEffect of heat treatment temperature on microstructure and electromagnetic shielding properties of graphene/SiBCN composites. J Mater Sci Technol. 2019;35:2897–2905.
ZhangTZhongBXiaLLarge-scale synthesis of monodispersed Si-B-N-O doped carbon hollow cages with microwave absorption property. Mater Res Bull. 2015;72:211–214.
99.
SongYHeLHZhangXFHighly efficient electromagnetic wave absorbing metal-free and carbon-rich ceramics derived from hyperbranched polycarbosilazanes. J Phys Chem C. 2017;121:24774–24785.
100.
LiQYinXWDuanWYDielectric and microwave absorption properties of polymer derived SiCN ceramics annealed in N2 atmosphere. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2014;34:589–598.
101.
GuoXFengYRLiuYSCross-linking behavior and dielectric properties of SiCN precursor. Ceram Int. 2017;43:16866–16871.
102.
FengYRGuoXGongHYMicrowave absorption performance of PDCs-SiCN(Fe) ceramics with negative imaginary permeability. Ceram Int. 2018;44:10420–10425.
103.
WangYZFengYRGuoXElectromagnetic and wave absorbing properties of Fe-doped polymer-derived SiCN ceramics. RSC Adv. 2017;7:46215–46220.
104.
WangYZGuoXFengYRWave absorbing performance of polymer-derived SiCN(Fe) ceramics. Ceram Int. 2017;43:15551–15555.
105.
LiQYinXWDuanWYImproved dielectric properties of PDCs-SiCN by in-situ fabricated nano-structured carbons. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2017;37:1243–1251.
LiuYFengYRGongHYMicrowave absorbing performance of polymer-derived SiCN (Ni) ceramics prepared from different nickel sources. J Alloys Compd. 2018;749:620–627.
108.
LiuYLinXGongHYElectromagnetic properties and microwave absorption performances of nickel-doped SiCN ceramics pyrolyzed at different temperatures. J Alloys Compd. 2019;771:356–363.
109.
LiuXMYuZJChenLQRole of single-source-precursor structure on microstructure and electromagnetic properties of CNTs-SiCN nanocomposites. J Am Ceram Soc. 2017;100:4649–4660.
110.
XueJMYinXWYeFMicrostructure and EMW absorption properties of CVI Si3 N4-SiCN ceramics with BN interface annealed in N2atmosphere. J Am Ceram Soc. 2018;101:1201–1210.
111.
LiuXMYuZJIshikawaRSingle-source-precursor synthesis and electromagnetic properties of novel RGO-SiCN ceramic nanocomposites. J Mater Chem C. 2017;5:7950–7960.
112.
XueJMYinXWChengLF.Induced crystallization behavior and EMW absorption properties of CVI SiCN ceramics modified with carbon nanowires. Chem Eng J. 2019;378.
113.
WangPChengLFZhangLT.Lightweight, flexible SiCN ceramic nanowires applied as effective microwave absorbers in high frequency. Chem Eng J. 2018;338:248–260.
114.
LiuXFZhangLTYinXWThe microstructure of SiCN ceramics and their excellent electromagnetic wave absorbing properties. Ceram Int. 2015;41:11372–11378.
115.
LiQYinXWZhangLTEffects of SiC fibers on microwave absorption and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of SiCf/SiCN composites. Ceram Int. 2016;42:19238.
116.
HouYZYangWZhongCThermostable SiCO@BN sheets with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption. Chem Eng J. 2019;378.
117.
DuanWYYinXWYeFSynthesis and EMW absorbing properties of nano SiC modified PDC-SiOC. J Mater Chem C. 2016;4:5962–5969.
DingDHLiZPXiaoGQKu-band electromagnetic wave absorbing properties of polysiloxane derived Si-O-C bulk ceramics. Mater Res Express. 2018;5:025039.
120.
ZhangQCGouYZWangHA new simple way to polyzirconocenesilane for lightweight polymer-derived Zr/Si/C/O ceramic foams with electromagnetic wave-absorbing and high temperature-resistant properties. Mater Des. 2017;120:90–98.
121.
DuanWYYinXWLuoCJMicrowave-absorption properties of SiOC ceramics derived from novel hyperbranched ferrocene-containing polysiloxane. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2017;37:2021–2030.
122.
HanMKYinXWDuanWYHierarchical graphene/SiC nanowire networks in polymer-derived ceramics with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorbing capability. J Eur Ceram Soc. 2016;36:2695–2703.
123.
DingDHWangJYuXMDispersing of functionalized CNTs in Si-O-C ceramics and electromagnetic wave absorbing and mechanical properties of CNTs/Si-O-C nanocomposites. Ceram Int. 2020;46:5407–5419.
