Biomimetic structure-driven self-adapting oxidation barrier in continuous SiC skeleton reinforced graphite composites

Inspired by the structural-functional feature of plant cells, herein, the intelligent biomimetic cellular-structured SiC-reinforced mesocarbon microbead composites were constructed via the combination of combustion synthesis and spark plasma sintering. Thanks to the functional adaptability of the SiC skeleton as cytoderm, the composites exhibited not only excellent oxidation resistance but also self-healing behavior of microcracks. The physical isolation of the SiC skeleton to O₂ at low temperatures (< 1200 °C), as well as the formation of self-healing oxide barriers and oxide shell arrays at high temperatures (1200–1500 °C), ensured the long-term oxidation resistance of the composites over a wide temperature range.