Formation of β-SiC nanorods with amorphous SiO₂ wrapping layers

Large quantities of β-SiC nanorods wrapped with amorphous SiO₂ layers were prepared. The formation of the nanorods was based on carbothermal reduction of silica xerogels with carbon nanoparticles embedded in the network, and the formation of SiO₂ layer was from the reaction of decomposed SiO and O₂. An X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the as-prepared composite showed several small peaks assigned to β-SiC, and a background halo pattern characteristic of an amorphous SiO phase.