Mechanochemical Processing and Characterisation Studies of Si-Based Refractory Compounds Derived from Sugarcane Bagasse

The present study reports on the mechanochemical processing and characterisation studies of Si-based refractory compounds derived from sugarcane bagasse (SCB). SCB was preliminarily washed and sun-dried for 48 hr. 1 M HCl acid was used for the leaching of the SCB, before which carbothermal treatment was carried out in an enclosed, improvised crucible using a temperature sequence of 600–1000°C at a heating rate of 10°C/min. Fourier transmission infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) were used to characterise the reaction products. From the results obtained, the major functional groups indicated in the IR spectra are O-H, N-O, O-Si-O and Si-C. The carbothermal treatment showed the viability of producing an Si-based refractory compound (SBRC). There is a high population of SiC in the XRD pattern at 900°C, indicating that 700°C was not sufficient for the full transformation of the SiC phases. The results indicate the presence of unreacted carbon phase precipitates in the reaction product.