1D SiC decoration of SiC macroscopic shapes for filtration devices

Abstract

The synthesis of a hierarchical support, constituted of a network of SiC nanofibers deposited on a SiC foam host resulting in a ceramic material with a controlled macroscopic shape and associated high specific surface area superior to 50 m2 g−1, has been reported for the first time. The new composite combines the nanoscopic properties of the SiC nanofibers’ network and controlled macroscopic shape and open porosity, typical of a SiC foam structure. The introduction of the nanostructures onto the host material allows a dramatic increase in the effective surface area which is extremely useful for the chosen field of application. This new type of material has been efficiently employed as a diesel particulate filter at high space velocity and without a detrimental pressure drop. In addition, the combination of such a hierarchical structure with high thermal conductivity could give rise to unexpected results in the field of heterogeneous catalysis where the mass and heat transport limitations still need to be improved.