Twinned SiC zigzag nanoneedles

Twinned zigzag SiC nanoneedles have been synthesized by silicon evaporation onto multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTS) at 1500 degrees C for 8 h. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), and high-resolution electron transmission microscope (HRTEM). The results show that the SiC nanoneedles have a zigzag surface, which is composed of (111) [11 (2) over bar] periodic twined segments. The growth of twinned zigzag SiC nanoneedles was realized by the vapor-solid (VS) reaction, in which (111) plane stacks in a (111) [11 (2) over bar] twinning manner, creating (11 (1) over bar) faceting over the nanoneedle surface. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the SiC nanoneedle shows considerable blue shifts of multi-PL peaks relative to the bulk 3C-SiC, due to the collective influence of size effects and defects.