Size-, shape-, and orientation-dependent properties of SiC nanowires of selected bulk polytypes

SiC nanowires (NWs) designed from selected bulk polytypes are investigated using quantum mechanics-based simulations (both ab initio and semiempirical methods), and their structure–property relationships examined vis-à-vis their size, shape, and orientation. It is found that 2H–SiC NWs of hexagonal morphology oriented along the <0001> direction are the most stable ones compared to NWs designed using other bulk polytypes (e.g., 3C, 4H, or 6H) and other morphologies (round, square, rhombus, etc.) for diameters with 1 nm NWs exhibit semiconductor-like characteristics (akin to their bulk counterparts), even when their diameters approach 1 nm. On the other hand, SiC NWs designed from 3C, 4H, and 6H bulk polytypes, regardless of their morphology, exhibit gapless features for diameters less than 3.5 nm. Undoubtedly, these novel properties of SiC NWs can be exploited in the fabrication of nanoscale devices.