SiC-SiO(x) heterojunctions in nanowires

Novel 2-D nanoscale SiC networks have been generated by heating SiC-Fe- Co mixtures under a CO atmosphere. Examination of the products by EDX and HRTEM showed that most of the nanowires consist of β-SiC elongated single crystals, wrapped in amorphous SiO(x) sheaths. Intriguing crystalline features and defects associated with SiC nanowires were observed. We believe that a binary Fe-Co catalyst is responsible for the SiC network: Fe catalyses the formation of the SiC inner cores and Co the SiO(x) (x=1-2) outer shell. A twostep growth mechanism, involving a vapour-liquid-solid (V-L-S) step, is thought to account for SiC nanowire creation.