The microstructural analysis of SiC nanorods synthesized through carbothermal reduction

SiC nanorods were synthesized through carbothermal reduction of SiO by C na nocapsules (CNCs) or amorphous activated C (AAC). The synthesized nanorods were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRT EM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The nanorods formed dur ing a reaction between SiO and CNCs were straight. They displayed a prefere ntial orientation of the growth axis; Which was either parallel or normal t o the [111] direction. The nanorods formed during reaction between SiO and AAC consisted of straight and curled parts or chains of SiC nanoparticles. The straight parts were aligned in the [111] direction. A surface of the ro d tip was covered with a thin amorphous layer, 1 similar to3 nm thick; Cont aining Si; C and traces of O. Formation mechanism of the SiC nanorods was p roposed. (C) 2001 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.