Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of electronic devices and the preparation thereof. In an aspect is an electronic device comprising a nanocomposite of carbon nanodomains homogeneously embedded in an insulating ceramic matrix, wherein the size and distribution of carbon nanodomains is such that the nanocomposite has a permittivity of greater than or equal to 200.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of electronic devices and the preparation thereof. In an aspect is an electronic device comprising a nanocomposite of carbon nanodomains homogeneously embedded in an insulating ceramic matrix, wherein the size and distribution of carbon nanodomains is such that the nanocomposite has a permittivity of greater than or equal to 200.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and materials for imparting corrosion resistance to a substrate, as well as the corrosion-resistant substrates prepared accordingly. Compositions and methods include nonpyrolyzed, silicon-based polymer coatings prepared on substrates. The prepared coatings are highly stable and resistant to corrosion. The invention finds utility, for example, in the fields of surface and coating chemistry. The composition contains silicon-containing polymers having units of the following formulae: [R1Si(OH)O]k??(III) [R1Si(OR10)O]m??(IV) [R1SiO1.5]n??(V) [R1Si(H)O]p??(VI) [R2R3SiO]q??(VII).

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and materials suitable for use as encapsulation barriers and dielectric layers in electronic devices. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided an electroluminescent device or other electronic device with a dielectric layer comprising alternating layers of a silicon-containing bonding material and a ceramic material. The methods provide, for example, electronic devices with increased stability and shelf-life. The invention is useful, for example, in the field of microelectronic devices.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and materials suitable for use as encapsulation barriers in electronic devices. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided an electroluminescent device or other electronic device encapsulated by alternating layers of a silicon-containing bonding material and a ceramic material. The encapsulation methods provide, for example, electronic devices with increased stability and shelf-life. The invention is useful, for example, in the field of microelectronic devices.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and materials suitable for use as encapsulation barriers in electronic devices. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided an electroluminescent device or other electronic device encapsulated by alternating layers of a silicon-containing bonding material and a ceramic material. The encapsulation methods provide, for example, electronic devices with increased stability and shelf-life. The invention is useful, for example, in the field of microelectronic devices.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and materials suitable for use as encapsulation barriers and dielectric layers in electronic devices. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided an electroluminescent device or other electronic device with a dielectric layer comprising alternating layers of a silicon-containing bonding material and a ceramic material. The methods provide, for example, electronic devices with increased stability and shelf-life. The invention is useful, for example, in the field of microelectronic devices.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and materials for imparting corrosion resistance to a substrate, as well as the corrosion-resistant substrates prepared accordingly. Compositions and methods include nonpyrolyzed, silicon-based polymer coatings prepared on substrates. The prepared coatings are highly stable and resistant to corrosion. The invention finds utility, for example, in the fields of surface and coating chemistry.

Abstract: A Porous ceramic filter and its method of production are disclosed. The ceramic filter has at least one porous layer (or skin) made of a binder formed of a cured ceramic powder and a preceramic or pyrolyzed ceramic precursor optionally containing a source of zirconia. In some embodiments, the binder is formed of the zirconia source only. The presence of the zirconia gives a skin with good mechanical strength and corrosion resistance to both acidic and basic solutions.

Abstract: Surfaces of various types of substrates, including glass, ceramics, metals and fabrics, are rendered thermally stable by treatment with a silicon-containing polymer which may be a polysilazane, a polysiloxane, or a polysiloxazane. Curing the polymer in an atmosphere which contains an oxygen donor additionally renders the substrate surface nonwetting.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing ceramic precursors from hydridosiloxane starting materials and then pyrolyzing these precursors to give rise to silicious ceramic materials. Si--H bonds present in the hydridosiloxane starting materials are catalytically activated, and the activated hydrogen atoms may then be replaced with nonhydrogen substituents. These preceramic materials are pyrolyzed in a selected atmosphere to give the desired ceramic product. Ceramic products which may be prepared by this technique include silica, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, metal silicates, and mullite.

Abstract: Surfaces of various types of substrates, including glass, ceramics, metals and fabrics, are rendered thermally stable by treatment with a silicon-containing polymer which may be a polysilazane, a polysiloxane, or a polysiloxazane. Curing the polymer in an atmosphere which contains an oxygen donor additionally renders the substrate surface nonwetting.

Abstract: Silazanes and related compounds are prepared by (a) providing a precursor containing at least one Si--N bond, cleaving an Si--N bond in the precursor in the presence of hydrogen or a hydrogen donor, and reacting the cleavage product with a second cleavage product or with a compound containing an Si--H bond, an N--H bond, or both, to produce an initial silazane product having at least one newly formed Si--N bond or (b) providing one or more reactants which contain an Si--H bond and an N--H bond, and causing reaction to occur between the two bonds in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to form an initial silazane product having newly formed Si--N bonds. Further products may result from additional reaction of either type. Novel compounds, including siloxazanes and high molecular weight polysilazanes, are provided. The compounds may be pyrolyzed to yield ceramic materials such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide and silicon oxynitride.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving the rupture strength of a glass material which comprises coating an unannealed glass material with a tractable preceramic coating material capable of pyrolyzing to form a ceramic coating at a temperature not exceeding the annealing temperature of the glass material and heating the coated glass material to a temperature sufficiently high to permit pyrolysis of the pre-ceramic polymer without exceeding the annealing temperature of the glass for a period of time sufficient to form a ceramic coating on the surface of the glass material.

Abstract: Silazanes and related compounds are prepared by providing a precursor containing one or more cyclic silazane units, causing polymerization to occur in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to form a polysilazane product. Further products may result from additional reaction. The novel compounds may be pyrolyzed to yield ceramic materials such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, substantially pure silicon nitride and articles prepared therefrom are provided. Fibers, coatings, binders and the like may be prepared from the novel materials.

Abstract: A process for preparing tractable preceramic precursors of Group IIIA metal/Group VA nonmetal compounds, such as BN, in which a first reactant containing a Group VA nonmetal to hydrogen bond, such as ammonia or an amine is reacted with a second reactant containing a Group IIIA metal to hydrogen bond, such as a metal hydride, in the presence of a metal catalyst that catalyzes dehydrocoupling of the bonds to form the precursor. Further reaction of the precursor in the presence of the catalyst forms oligomeric/polymeric forms of the precursor.

Abstract: Silazanes and related compounds are prepared by (a) providing a precursor containing at least one Si-N bond, cleaving an Si-N bond in the precursor in the presence of hydrogen or a hydrogen donor, and reacting the cleavage product with a second cleavage product or with a compound containing an Si-H bond, an N-H bond, or both, to produce an initial silazane product having at least one newly formed Si-N bond or (b) providing one or more reactants which contain an Si-H bond and an N-H bond, and causing reaction to occur between the two bonds in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to form an initial silazane product having newly formed Si-N bonds. Further products may result from additional reaction of either type. Novel compounds, including siloxazanes and high molecular weight polysilazanes, are provided. The compounds may be pyroloyzed to yield ceramic materials such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide and silicon oxynitride.

Abstract: Silazanes and related compounds are prepared by providing a precursor containing one or more cyclic silazane units, causing polymerization to occur in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to form a polysilazane product. Further products may result from additional reaction. The novel compounds may be pyrolyzed to yield ceramic materials such as silicon nitride, silicon carbide and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, substantially pure silicon nitride and articles prepared therefrom are provided. Fibers, coatings, binders and the like may be prepared from the novel materials.

Abstract: A process for preparing tractable preceramic precursors of Group IIIA metal/Group VA nonmetal compounds, such as BN, in which a first reactant containing a Group VA nonmetal to hydrogen bond, such as ammonia or an amine is reacted with a second reactant containing a Group IIIA metal to hydrogen bond, such as a metal hydride, in the presence of a metal catalyst that catalyzes dehydrocoupling of the bonds to form the precursor. Further reaction of the precursor in the presence of the catalyst forms oligomeric/polymeric forms of the precursor.