Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
It is shown that ceramics derived from polycarbosilane polymers may develop an open nanoporous network after heat treatment to a temperatures between 1300 and 1550°C in argon. The resulting SiC-based ceramics were characterised by N2 gas adsorption analysis and X-ray diffraction. The apparent surface area, and pore volume increase with increasing heat treatment temperature, reaching values of 170 m2g-1 and 0.12 cm3-1 respectively. The pore network develops as the SiC crystals grow and as carbon is ejected from the structure. It is thought that the porosity may reside within the carbon phase, but this remains to be confirmed.