Microstructural Evolution of porous biomorphous WC and SiC Ceramics

Abstract

A novel way of synthesizing pure WC as well as SiC powders by in situ carbo-thermal reaction of sugar cane and tungstic acid or Si is presented. Tungsten and silicon carbide bodies were sintered at 1450 o C under vacuum. The preparation process, catalytic activity, microstructure, and phase composition of the prepared bodies were investigated and characterized. The resultant WC and SiC architecture showed a homogeneous finegrained microstructure and good distribution of closed pores. The WC bodies exhibit high activity for dehydrogenation of cyclohexane to cyclohexene with selectivity of 96% at 200° to 350°C.