Helical nanocables with SiC core and SiO2 shell

A novel one-dimensional helical nanocable structure has been synthesized through the reaction of carbon fiber with SiO vapor. The crystalline SiC core typically has diameters of 10-20 nm with a helical periodicity of 30-40 nm and is covered by a uniform layer of 10-20 nm thick amorphous SiO2. A growth mechanism is proposed on the basis of difference in the growth rate between crystalline SiC core and amorphous SiO2 shell.