Influence of precursor morphology on the microstructure of silicon carbide nanopowder produced by combustion syntheses

Silicon carbide nanopowder was synthesized using the combustion-based approach. Combustion synthesis was performed in reduction type SiO2–Mg–C system. Silicon oxide powders with different morphologies and average particle size were used as starting powders. It was shown that even micro-size silica allows formation of nano-size silicon carbide powder. However, the specific surface area of synthesized SiC particles increases with the decrease the size of the silicon oxide precursor. The mechanism of silicon carbide formation in the combustion wave is also discussed.