Synthesis and growth mechanism of SiC/SiO2 nanochains by catalyst-free thermal evaporation method in Ar/CO atmosphere

Abstract

SiC/SiO2 nanochains were synthesized on a carbon fiber substrate by a catalyst-free thermal evaporation method in the Ar/CO atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the as-synthesized SiC/SiO2 nanochains are composed of single-crystalline SiC nanowires and amorphous SiO2 beads. The introduction of CO can promote the formation of SiO2, so that the SiC/SiO2 nanochains are subsequently formed during cooling. In addition, the photoluminescence spectrum of SiC/SiO2 nanochains showed a broad emission peak at around 350 nm, which is ascribed to the oxygen discrepancy in the SiO2 beads as well as the SiC/SiO2 interfacial effect. These findings can provide guidance for further study of the vapor growth of 1D SiC-based materials.