Post-synthesis treatment of silicon carbide nanowires obtained in combustion synthesis

The paper describes the effects of thermal, mechanical and chemical treatment of silicon carbide nanowires (SiCNWs) obtained via combustion synthesis from Si and PTFE micropowders. The bundles of the combustion product are contaminated with various fractions of SiC and impurities like carbon, silicon and silica. Attempts have been made to debundle the wires and to remove impurities from SiCNWs samples, in order to obtain pure and shape-controlled material. The morphology of SiCNWs was examined as the material was physically and chemically modified.