Catalyst-free Method of Preparing β-SiC Nanowhiskers by Using Carbon Whiskers

A novel catalyst-free method of preparing β-SiC nanowhiskers by using carbon fibres as solid carbon source was presented. A large quantities of β-SiC nanowhiskers with 10-40nm diameter and micrometer-scale length were successfully produced without catalyst. The features of this method were given. Compared with other preparing methods, the micro-structures of the β-SiC nanowhiskers and the growth mechanism were discussed. The research shows that the relatively high heating-temperature, the partial supersaturation of SiO, and partial supersaturation of CO are the key preparing factors.