Growth of SiC nanowhiskers from wooden precursors, separation, and characterization

We have achieved a catalyst free, low cost, easy synthesis of straight and uniform, high-aspect ratio β-SiC nanowhiskers (of 25–100 nm diameters), and a suitable separation technique to produce large quantities of individual whiskers. We conclude that these nanowhiskers nucleate on initially formed SiC clusters by a sequential gas–gas-surface reaction. The SiC clusters are formed initially as the primary product of the contact reaction between carbon obtained from wood powder (saw dust) and SiO2 from tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS).