Toward green chemistry: A new approach to the synthesis of semiconducting SiC nanowires

Abstract

In recent years, the synthesis of silicon carbide nanowires (NWSiC) has been extensively studied and a fast, simple one-step chemical method of branched one-dimensional SiC nanostructure formation from Si/PTFE mixture via a thermolysis route (SHS) has been proposed. The aim of this study is to further develop the production protocol by decreasing the cost of starting reactants and environmental impact of the synthesis. Thus, recycled grinded solar panels were tested as a silicon source. Furthermore, technical PTFE powder (the industrial by-product) has been proposed instead of the pure commercially available one to further decrease the final cost of the process. The parametric optimization of the process was carried out as well as in situ diagnostics based on the analysis of light emitted during the combustion. The possibility of scaling up the production of NWSiCs was confirmed. The products were characterized using XRD, SEM, and Raman spectroscopy and used as fillers in nanocomposites. Reactors used for the combustion synthesis (left) and the substrate: recycled grinded solar panels as the Si source (right).