Polymer derived ceramics, referred to commonly as PDCs, Is a term for ceramic materials

formed by the pyrolysis of preceramic polymers, usually under inert atmosphere. The
compositions of PDCs most commonly include silicon carbide (SiC), silicon oxycarbide
(SiOxCy), silicon nitride(Si3N4), silicon carbonitride (Si3+xN4Cx+y) [1] and silicon
oxynitride(SiOxNy).[2] The composition, phase distribution and structure of PDCs depend on the
polymer precursor compounds used and the pyrolysis conditions applied. The key advantage of
this type of ceramic material is the versatility afforded by the use of polymeric precursors in terms
of processing and shaping. Polymer derived ceramics can be additively manufactured (3D
printed) in stereolithography based techniques, through photopolymerization of preceramic
polymers.[3] Such processing of PDCs has drawn attention towards applications requiring
thermally and chemically stable materials in complex forms that are challenging to achieve
through more conventional ceramic processing routes, such as powder sintering and slip casting.
PDCs are further valuable towards the synthesis of porous and mesoporous materials [4] and thin
films.[5]

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