Preparation of SiC nanowires on graphite paper with silicon powder

Abstract In this study, a novel and catalyst-free preparation method of SiC nanowires (SiC NWs) was proposed. A slurry prepared by mixing silicon powder with ethyl cellulose and methanol was uniformly coated on a graphite paper, which was then kept in vacuum furnace at different temperature to form SiC NWs. The phases, microstructure and the formation mechanism of SiC NWs was investigated. It was found that the SiC NWs was formed with a vapor-solid process, during which the silicon powder particles were gradually sublimated and reacted with C provided by graphite paper to form 3C-SiC NWs. With increasing holding temperature, high amounts of SiC NWs with a large diameter was obtained, and the micro-morphology of which changed from flocculent into curvilinear, and finally linear nanowires.