A SEM record of proteins-derived microcellular silicon carbide foams

Protein rigid foams based on albumin coreacted with camphor and an aldehyde were converted into silicon carbide (SiC) foams. This was carried out by putting albumin-derived template foams in contact with silicon compounds in liquid phase and calcinating the mix obtained at a relatively low temperature of 500°C to eliminate the protein and leave the SiC foam. The transformation was followed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) from the natural albumin foams to the gel obtained by infiltrating them with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and to the appearance of the SiC foams after calcination. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra were done to characterise the resulting foam.