Study on a novel Si3N4-based composite with the incorporation of N-GQDs produced from nano-lignin

Abstract

In order to enhance the mechanical properties of ceramic materials and realize the high value utilization of lignin, the nano-lignin precursor was added into the silicon nitride matrix as the second phase to obtain a novel ceramic composite material with excellent mechanical performance in this study. During the preparation, the nano-lignin was transformed into nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots(N-GQDs) in the ceramic matrix by the pyrolysis-hot pressing sintering coupling process. Aiming to reveal the pyrolysis conversion process of lignin, the segmented products at the different temperature gradient were prepared, and their phase composition and microstructure were deeply analyzed by various test methods. In addition, the continuous pyrolysis process of nano-lignin was further studied by simultaneous thermal analyzer. The results showed that, nano-lignin was transformed into solid products (amorphous carbon) in the temperature range of room temperature to 800 °C and produced a large number of volatiles. Subsequently, in the temperature range of 800∼1400 °C, part of amorphous carbon began to transform into N-GQDs, and part of α-Si3N4 also began to transform into β-Si3N4. When the temperature rose to the temperature of 1700 °C, all amorphous carbon was transformed into N-GQDs through carbon structure rearrangement and nitrogen doping, and meanwhile the most of α-Si3N4 was transformed into β-Si3N4. At the final stage, β-Si3N4 columnar grains were covered by an overlayer composed of N-GQDs, and a novel ceramic composite with a special “core-shell” microstructure was obtained and exhibited excellent mechanical performance. This study presents a promising approach for the preparation of high-performance ceramic materials, and can also intrigue great interests in lignin graphitization and lignin-derived carbon materials.