Synthesis of silica microspheres on silicon-modified carbon foams under ablation

ABSTRACTSilica microspheres (SMs) were in situ synthesized in silicon-modified porous carbon foams (SCFs) by an economic and efficient technique – high temperature oxyacetylene torch ablation. The microstructure and formation mechanism of SMs were analyzed in detail. Results showed that the resultant SMs generally were several microns in diameter, and mainly distributed in the ablation center zone. The formation mechanism was governed by the vapor–liquid–solid principle during the process of ablation and cooling. The influence of the ablative flame on the physicochemical property of SCFs was the leading cause of the bizarre SMs.