Polymeric and ceramic silicon-based coatings - a review

Silicon-based polymers are outstanding materials for coating applications. These compounds have excellent properties, such as strong adhesion to most substrates, and high chemical, thermal and UV resistance. Additionally, they can be converted into ceramic materials (polymer-derived ceramics) by a heat treatment and, in some cases, by chemical reactions or radiation. Hence, ceramic coatings can be obtained after deposition of the polymers by simple lacquer techniques. The properties and composition of polymeric and ceramic coatings can be changed by tailoring the chemical structure of the precursors or by the addition of fillers. This enables the preparation of coatings with a great variety of properties for different applications. In this review paper, the main aspects of the use of silicon polymers for coatings are elucidated. The advantages and disadvantages of these materials, and the processing methods developed are discussed. Finally, a summary of the applications and the prospects for future research are presented.