SiC NWs Grown on Silicon Substrate Using Fe as Catalyst

We report on the synthesis of SiC nanowires (NWs) using iron as catalyst. The NWs were grown on silicon substrate by vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism with propane and silane as precursors, both 3% diluted in hydrogen, and hydrogen as carrier gas. The growth temperature was 1250°C, to reach the eutectic values of the Si-Fe alloy and to permit the VLS mechanism. The as-grown SiC nanowires were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The nanowires are from 30 to 100 nm in diameter and several μm in length, with <111> growth direction.