Preparation of carbon–silicon carbide composite powder via a mechanochemical route

A carbon–silicon carbide (Cp–SiC) composite powder was prepared with nano-carbon (Cp) and silicon (Si) powders as starting materials via a mechanochemical treatment in Ar atmosphere in a stirred ball mill. The composite powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy/high resolution transmission microscopy (TEM/HRTEM). Effects of parameters (such as grinding time, ratio of ball to powder, grinding mode and atmosphere) on the synthesis of β-SiC particles, and the simultaneous preparation of Cp–SiC composite powder with the synthesized particles of β-SiC and the remaining Cp by mechanochemical treatment were investigated. The results show that β-SiC particles can be synthesized and the Cp–SiC composite powder in the presence of excessive nano-sized carbon can be simultaneously obtained via the mechanochemical route.