SYNTHESIS OF ULTRAFINE SIC FROM RICE HULLS (HUSKS) - A PLASMA PROCESS

Heat-treated rice hulls have been used as precursor material for synth esis of ultrafine SiC in a RF plasma reactor. Rice hulls containing fi nely distributed silica and active carbon act as a source for SiC form ation. The plasma-synthesized powder contained ultrafine beta-SiC with excess carbon and some unreacted silica. Post-treatment processes suc h as oxidation and acid (HF) treatment appear to be effective in remov ing the excess carbon and silica.