Growth of SiC whiskers from hydrogen silicone oil

A simple technique was developed to produce SiC whiskers on graphite matrix using common and low-cost hydrogen silicone oil (H–PSO) as raw material. Detailed investigation with characterization by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersion spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction demonstrated that the whiskers contain a single crystalline β-SiC core along the 〈111〉 direction with a silica shell. The formation of whiskers started with defect–vapor–vapor and further grew with the vapor–liquid–solid mechanism.

► The SiC whisker can be applied in oxidation resistant coating without separation and purification. ► The Structure of the SiC whisker was a single crystal β-SiC core along [111] direction with silica shell. ► Formation of the whisker started with DVV and further grew with the VLS mechanism.