Synthesis of β-silicon carbide nanofiber from an exfoliated graphite and amorphous silica

Silicon carbide (SiC) nanofibers were synthesized from exfoliated graphite containing silica particles at 1425 °C in a 25% H2/Ar atmosphere. Two types of SiC nanofibers with different morphologies were formed depending on the silica content. A higher silica content led to straight nanofibers with a regular diameter size. The SiC nanofibers derived from the exfoliated graphite/40 wt% SiO2 powder mixture contained a large number of stacking faults and grew along the [1 1 1] direction. A gas–gas reaction mechanism was proposed to explain the formation of SiC nanofibers.