A new preceramic polymer, polyzirconosaal (PZSA), was synthesised by the ligand exchange reaction between polyzirconoxane and salicyl alcohol. The chemical structure of the precursor was analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. The precursor was air stable and exhibited excellent solubility and rheology. The thermal decomposition processes of the polymer were studied using the technique of thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis. The thermal decomposition products of PZSA obtained in Ar atmosphere were characterised by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and element analysis. The polymer underwent a thermal decomposition in four steps, and nanosized ZrC was formed at 1300°C via carbothermal reduction reaction of ZrO2 and carbon in argon with ceramic yield of 57·8%.
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