Effect of Cu/Si Additive on the Microstructure of Pyrolysis Carbon Derived from Phenolic Resin

Abstract

Abstract Phenolic resin has been widely applied as a carbonaceous binder in the field of carbon composites and carbon materials. The microstructure of pyrolysis carbon that derived from carbonaceous binders played an important role in the properties of carbon-containing refractories. In this study, the effects of copper and silicon on the pyrolysis behavior of phenolic resin and the microstructure of the pyrolysis carbon were investigated by using thermosetting phenolic resin as raw material, and using silicon powder (99%, 200 mesh) as well as copper nitrate (AR, w(Cu(NO3)2)⩾99%) as additives. The results showed that the copper nano-particles in-situ formed from copper nitrate could be served as catalyst in the pyrolysis process of resin. Catalytic synthesis of carbon nanofibers could improve the degree of carbonization with pyrolysis carbon microstructure at low temperature (below 800 °C). The carbon nanofibers had lamellar structure and layered stacking characteristic. Silicon carbide whiskers were produced by Cu-doping phenolic resin with copper and silicon at 1400 °C.