Formation of β-SiC nanorods with amorphous SiO2 wrapping layers

Large quantities of β-SiC nanorods wrapped with amorphous SiO2 layers were prepared. The formation of the nanorods was based on carbothermal reduction of silica xerogels with carbon nanoparticles embedded in the network, and the formation of SiO2 layer was from the reaction of decomposed SiO and O2. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the as-prepared composite showed several small peaks assigned to β-SiC, and a background halo pattern characteristic of an amorphous SiO phase.