Synthesis and characteristics of cubic silicon carbide nanospheres with smooth surfaces

Large quantities of cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) nanospheres are synthesized on silicon wafer using zinc sulphide (ZnS) and activated carbon powder. The synthesized nanospheres have smooth surfaces and their diameters range from 20 to 430 nm. The growth of these nanospheres can be explained by a gas-solid model. ZnS powder plays a key role in the formation of activated Si and SiC _x. Carburization of the activated Si and SiO _x by CO gas leads to the formation of the 3C-SiC nanospheres. Special three-dimensional structure of the product is related to high concentrations of the reactants. Copyright © 2009 American Scientific Publishers.