IN SITU FORMATION OF SILICON CARBIDE NANOFIBRES ON CORDIERITE SUBSTRATES

• Published in: Journal of the American Ceramic Society Vol. 90; no. 5; pp. 1603 - 1606
• Main Authors: Jayaseelan, D D, Lee, W E, Amutharani, D, Zhang, S, Yoshida, K, Kita, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2007
• ISSN: 0002-7820

Twenty-five years of diesel particulate filter developments have shown that high-volume ceramic materials are well suited for the harsh requirements of exhaust after treatment. Nevertheless, problems regarding filter reliability and durability associated with the regeneration of the filter have limited their serious application. To extend useful filter life, the growth of SiC nanofibres by a simple carbothermal reduction process on cordierite support surfaces using cheap raw materials such as kaolin, talc, and carbon black has been examined. TEM confirmed the crystalline (beta-SiC) nature of the nanofibres (10-20 nm diameter). The growth of these nanofibres increased the support-specific surface area, restricting the agglomeration of noble metal catalyst particles that otherwise occurs in wash-coat sintering. As a result, fewer particles were needed to perform the catalyst role (at reduced cost) and the support structure could host the catalyst for prolonged times at higher temperatures. 22 refs.