Synthesis and Properties of SiC/SiO₂ Nanochain Heterojunctions by Microwave Method

Abstract

SiC/SiO2 one-dimensional nanochains and SiC/SiO2 two-dimensional X-junction and Y-junction nanochains were synthesized by using a simple and low-cost microwave method. Structural, morphological, and elemental analysis revealed that the SiC/SiO2 nanochains consisted of 3C-SiC strings with diameters of 20−80 nm and periodic SiO2 beads with diameters of 100−400 nm. Spectral analysis indicated that both SiC strings and SiO2 beads produced significant photoluminescence, and the presence of SiO2 beads enhanced the emissions from SiC strings. On the basis of experimental characterizations, a two-step growth mechanism of the nanochains was proposed to elucidate the growth process.