Alumina silicon oxycarbide hybrids

Abstract

Alumina-silicon oxycarbide (from polyphenylmethlsilsesquioxane which is fired in absence of air)batch is synthesized using propanol solution and magnetic stirring. Three batches of different composition are made, ,polyphenylmethylsilsesquoxane being the major constituent (i.e-70:30;80:20;90:10). The polymer will form a coating on the alumina surface. To ensure coating of the alumina surface, polyphenylmethylsilsesquioxane is added first and it is then allowed to dissolve completely by stirring for 15-20 minutes. Then the required amount of alumina is added gradually to the polyphenylmethylsilsesquioxane solution and stirred vigorously for next 20-25 minutes and ensure its complete solution. The powder is pyrolysed at 400¢ªC, 500¢ªC,600¢ªC,800¢ªC and 900¢ªC. After the pyrolysis, the overall volume of the composite decreases and the composite becomes more dense.Then characterization of the pyrolysed powder is done by XRD, BET and UV-VIS Spectroscopy.BET was done to study the pore size/volume and surface area of these hybrid. UV-VIS spectroscopy was performed to study the preliminary adsorption properties of these hybrids for toxic ion removal.