Preparation of Silicon Polymer-Derived Ceramics Upon Chemical Treatment to Obtain Materials with Highly Improved Capacitive Current

Poly(organosilanes) are organic–inorganic polymers composed of the main inorganic chain (Si–O-Si) and organic groups or hydrogen that when exposed to thermal treatment conditions in an inert atmosphere, turn into silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) based ceramic materials. Some attractive highlights of SiOC derived from silicon polymers include high thermal and chemical stabilities, low densities, and good mechanical, optical, and electrical properties. These properties allow their use in several technological applications such as high-temperature receivers, ceramic coatings for high-temperature corrosion, ceramic membranes for water purification, high-resistance fibers, luminescent thin films, voltammetric sensors, and supercapacitors. In this work, SiOC ceramic materials were produced from 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4Vi) crosslinked via radical reaction, which after acid treatment showed notable characteristics for electrical properties, as greater exposure of the Cfree phase and expressive values of the specific area. Specific capacitance values demonstrated that the application of SiOC materials in the supercapacitors field is promising. Thus, poly(organosilanes)-derived SiOC materials showed to be a viable option for the production of ceramic supercapacitors.