Study of anodic oxide films formed on solid-state sintered SiC-ceramic at high anodic potentials

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • M. Schneider - , Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (Author)
  • L. Šimůnková - , Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (Author)
  • A. Michaelis - , Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (Author)
  • M. Noeske - , Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (Author)
  • J. Aniol - , Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (Author)
  • K. Thiel - , Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (Author)

Abstract

The present work studies the formation, chemical composition, and structure of an oxide layer formed on the technical solid-state sintered ceramic (EKasic®D) in a strong alkaline solution (1 M NaOH at pH 14) at high anodic potentials (30 V vs. 3 M Ag/AgCl). The observed formation of oxide films on SiC in alkaline solution is in contradiction to the thermodynamic laws (Pourbaix-diagram). The film thickness was determined by SEM/EDX measurements using the specific thin film analysis tool “AZtec” (Oxford Instruments) as well as the transmission electron microscopy. The thickness of the oxide film formed at 30 V amounts to 30 nm that corresponds with a field strength of E = 10 MV cm−1, which corresponds with the formation according to the high-field mechanism. The chemical composition was studied by EDX-analysis in a transmission electron microscope as well as by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The oxide layer is completely amorphous and consists of non-stoichiometric SiOx and SiOxCy. The layer is assumed as graded with a higher amount of SiOx in the outermost regions and an increased amount of SiOxCy in the inner region of the passive layer. Additionally, the passive layer is doped by a small amount of aluminum originating from a sinter additive used in the manufacture of the SiC ceramic and completely incorporated into the SiC grains.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15010-15016
Number of pages7
JournalCeramics international
Volume47
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2021
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes