Photoluminescence of as-synthesized and heat-treated phenyl-containing polysilylcarbodiimides: role of crosslinking and free carbon formation in polymer-derived ceramics

For the first time, photoluminescence properties of four polysilylcarbodiimides, comprised of a phenyl pendant group attached at the silicon atom and a second substituent being either phenyl (S1), methyl (S2), hydrogen (S3) or vinyl (S4), are reported. Distinctive fluorescence emissions are detected in the polymers with one phenyl group at the silicon atom (S2, S3 and S4), due to a phenyl excimer emission. The polymer with two phenyl groups...