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

Abstract

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