Self-assembled hierarchical single-crystalline β-SiC nanoarchitectures

Hierarchical single-crystalline β-SiC nanoarchitectures have been successfully synthesized using a catalyst-assisted thermochemical process. Their morphology and structure were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Studies found that the central nanowires have diameters of ∼10-20 nm and the branched nanoplatelets have thicknesses of 5-10 nm. Field emission measurements showed that the hierarchical β-SiC nanoarchitectures have a turn-on field of ∼12 V/μm.