Synthesis of bamboo-like SiC nanowires with controllable densities of bamboo nodes

Herein, bamboo-like SiC nanowires were synthesized via the atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) approach. The mixed powders of polycarbosilane (PCS) and activated carbon (AC) were used as the raw materials. Particularly, the pyrolysis rate of the raw materials were controlled by adjusting the proportion of activated carbon. The reaction gas was periodically changed by placing raw materials in two different temperature zones. Subsequently, bamboo-like SiC nanowires with different densities of bamboo nodes were obtained in the way of adjusting the time of periodic change in the concentration of the reaction gas. The morphologies and microstructure of the bamboo-like nanowires were investigated by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy as well as selected area electron diffraction. Finally, the growth process of the bamboo-like SiC nanowires was investigated from the perspective of the root vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism as well as the periodic change in concentration.