Low-temperature pseudomorphic transformation of ordered hierarchical macro-mesoporous Si[O.sub.2]/C nanocomposite to SiC via magnesiothermic reduction

A magnesiothermic reduction synthesis approach is described for direct conversion of Si[O.sub.2]/C composite nanostructures to corresponding SiC materials without losing their nanostructure morphologies. An ordered hierarchical macro-mesoporous SiC material is prepared and the pseudomorphic transformation is regarded as a general synthesis method for different kinds of SiC nanostructures, which is extended to other metal carbide materials as well as TiC.