Formation of nanocrystalline graphite in polymer-derived SiCN by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis at a low temperature

The microstructure of polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) was closely related to processing. This study demonstrated that SiCN matrix prepared by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) at 900 °C inside a Si3N4 whisker (Si3N4w) preform with submicro-sized pores differed from its powder-consolidated analogue in both the content and structure of free carbon. Chemical analysis showed that PIP process had a higher free carbon yield. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation discovered a higher graphitization degree of free carbon and the existence of nanocrystalline graphite in SiCN matrix. Dielectric properties of Si3N4w/SiCN composites were greatly enhanced when volume fraction of SiCN matrix reached 24.5% due to dielectric percolation caused by highly-lossy free carbon. Reconsolidation of hydrocarbon released during pyrolysis by gas-state carbonization in Si3N4 whisker preform was supposed to account for the high yield and graphitization degree of free carbon in PIP process.

Organic matter and water from asteroid Itokawa

Understanding the true nature of extra-terrestrial water and organic matter that were present at the birth of our solar system, and their subsequent evolution, necessitates the study of pristine astromaterials. In this study, we have studied both the water and organic contents from a dust particle recovered from the surface of near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission, which was the first mission that brought pristine asteroidal materials to Earth’s astromaterial collection. The organic matter is presented as both nanocrystalline graphite and disordered polyaromatic carbon with high D/H and 15N/14N ratios (δD = + 4868 ± 2288‰; δ15N = + 344 ± 20‰) signifying an explicit extra-terrestrial origin. The contrasting organic feature (graphitic and disordered) substantiates the rubble-pile asteroid model of Itokawa, and offers support for material mixing in the asteroid belt that occurred in scales from small dust infall to catastrophic impacts of large asteroidal parent bodies. Our analysis of Itokawa water indicates that the asteroid has incorporated D-poor water ice at the abundance on par with inner solar system bodies. The asteroid was metamorphosed and dehydrated on the formerly large asteroid, and was subsequently evolved via late-stage hydration, modified by D-enriched exogenous organics and water derived from a carbonaceous parent body.

Hybrid carbon-hydrocarbon structure

A new hybrid carbon-hydrocarbon structure was discovered after pumping a gas mixture of methane and hydrogen through 314 – 400 µm synthetic diamond powder. The experiment was carried out on the microwave plasmachemical installation designed for deposition of polycrystalline diamond films. The main parameters during the experiment were the following: the power of the microwave generator 3,5 kW, the flow rate of hydrogen 400 ml/min, methane 20 ml/min, the pressure in the reactor chamber 63 torr. The gas mixture was pumped at pressure drop of 13 torr. The diamond powders were placed in molybdenum cups inserted into a copper pedestal. In the gaps between the diamond particles of the surface layer unidirectional thread-like structures (length 100 – 500 μm, diameter 2 μm) were found, some of which ended in spherical formations (average diameter 18 μm). Such a composition of thread-like structures and spherical formations was called “dandelion” one. Raman spectroscopy was performed to examine the nature of these formations. The thread-like structure was determined as monocrystalline graphite. The surface of the spherical formation was represented by spindle-shaped structures of nanocrystalline graphite (length 2 μm, thickness 200 nm) and nanodiamond grains with trans-polyacetylene chains [C2H2]n.

Organic Matter and Water from Asteroid Itokawa

Understanding the true nature of extra-terrestrial water and organic matter that was present at the birth of our solar system, and their subsequent evolution, necessitates the study of pristine astromaterials. In this study, we have studied both the water and organic contents from a dust particle recovered from the surface of near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa by the Hayabusa mission, which represents one of the most uncontaminated astromaterial samples in Earth’s collection. The organic matter is presented as both nanocrystalline graphite and disordered polyaromatic carbon with high D/H and 15N/14N ratios (δD = +4,868 ± 2,288‰; δ15N = +344 ± 20‰) signifying an explicit extra-terrestrial origin. The contrasting organic feature (graphitic and disordered) substantiates the rubble-pile asteroid model of Itokawa, and offers support for material mixing in the asteroid belt that occurred in scales from small dust infall to cartographic impacts of large asteroidal parent bodies. Our analysis of Itokawa water indicates that the asteroid has incorporated D-poor water ice at the abundance on par with inner solar system bodies. The asteroid was metamorphosed and dehydrated on the formerly large asteroid, and was subsequently evolved via late-stage hydration, modified by D-enriched extraneous organics and water derived from a carbonaceous parent body.