Synthesis and characterization of Si3N4 thin nanobelts via direct nitridation of Si powders

Crystalline Si3N4 thin nanobelts have been synthesized via direct nitridation of Si powders without using any catalyst. The purified Si3N4 sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersion X-ray spectrum, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the sample mainly consists of Si3N4 thin nanobelts with a width of 100–500 nm and a length of several microns. The infrared adsorptions of the nanobelts exhibit obvious red shift compared with those of Si3N4 nanowires. The growth of the nanobelts follows the vapor–solid mechanism.