Synthesis of silicon carbide nanotubes

Single-phase silicon carbide (SiC) nanotubes were successfully synthesized by the reaction of carbon nanotubes with silicon powder at 1200 degrees C for 100 h. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that most of the carbon from the carbon nanotubes that were reacted with silicon at 1200 degrees C for 100 h was transformed to SiC. Transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that both single-phase SiC nanotubes and C-SiC coaxial nanotubes, which are carbon nanotubes sheathed with a SiC layer, were synthesized after 100 h of reaction. The ratio of single-phase SiC nanotubes to C-SiC nanotubes increased with heat treatment at 600 degrees C in air for 1 h because the remaining carbon was removed.