Direct synthesis of one-dimensional silicon carbide nanostructures on graphite by pyrolysis of rice husks

Abstract

One-dimensional (1D) β-SiC/SiO2 nanochains, β-SiC nanowires and rod-like β-SiC were directly obtained from the vapor deposited products that formed on graphite by pyrolysis of rice husks (RHs) in argon atmosphere. 1D β-SiC/SiO2 nanochains composed of β-SiC stems and amorphous SiO2 beads were synthesized at 1500°C for 2h. Pure 1D β-SiC nanowires having diameter of around 160nm and tens of micrometers in length were obtained at 1500°C for 4 and 6h. As pyrolysis temperature was increased to 1600 and 1700°C, β-SiC nanowires and rod-like β-SiC with larger diameters and shorter lengths were received, respectively. The possible growth processes based on vapor-solid (VS) mechanism were proposed to explain the formation of the 1D β-SiC nanostructures. © 2013 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.