SiC nanotubes arrays fabricated by sputtering using electrospun PVP nanofiber as templates

Silicon carbide nanotubes (SiCNTs) with desired morphologies were fabricated by radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering, and electrospun polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP) nanofibers were used as templates. Morphologies and crystal configuration of the SiCNT arrays were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectrometer. The photoluminescence (PL) and field emission (FE) properties of the samples were characterized. The results showed that the well-crystallized SiCNTs had an intact structure, and only consisted of Si, C and O. Enhanced green light emissions were achieved from the NT-containing samples. We found that all of the F-N plots formed straight lines. This is well agreed with the Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) theory. The field enhancement factors βs had been respectively calculated using the work function of SiC (ϕ = 4.0 eV). The results of the present work suggested that our method be also viable for the synthesis of various tubular nanomaterials.