Characterization, Photoluminescence and Magnetic Properties of SiC Nanowires Synthesized with Nickel Catalyst via Microwave Heating

Large scale SiC nanowires were synthesized through a rapid and low-cost microwave heating method. Silicon, silica, graphite and nickel powders were used as raw materials and catalyst, respectively, and no inert protective gas was employed during the preparation. The microstructures of the products were comprehensively characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results showed that the nanowires have lengths of several dozens of micrometers and diameters of 50nm approximately. The growth of them was governed by vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism. In addition, the photoluminescence (PL) and magnetic properties of the products were subsequently investigated by fluorescent photometer and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The PL spectrum, employing a Xe laser (240 nm) as an excitation source, shows an emission band centered at about 390 nm, indicating that the obtained SiC nanowires possess excellent optical property. The hysteresis loop shows big magnetic saturation (Ms) of 0.96 emu/g and small coercivity (Hc) of 37.92 Oe. So, the obtained SiC nanowires can be characterized as typical soft magnetic material, and the improvement of magnetic properties may be attributed to the existence of Ni2Si phase in the SiC nanowires.