Synthesis of nano-sized silicon carbide particles by pulsed discharge of mixed powders of Si and C

Abstract

We have developed a new method to form nano-sized particles by discharge to powders sealed in heat-shrinkable tubes. Nano-sized SiC particles were tried to be synthesized by discharging to mixed powders of Si and C. SiC particles with cubic crystalline structure were synthesized in N₂ gas atmosphere from mixed powders with the C/Si mol ratio of unity. However, Si phase much remained in the obtained particles. Then, mixed powders with the C/Si ratio of 2 were discharged. The formed particles were mainly composed of SiC phase, although Si and graphite phases still mingled.