Abstract
α-Si3N4 nanorods with 20–80 nm
width were synthesized by carbothermal reduction of SiO with
amorphous activated carbon (AAC) as a reductant. Microstructural
characterization of the synthesized nanorods was carried out by high
resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive
X-ray analysis. Many Si3N4 nanorods were found
to be twisted. Each twisted nanorod contained several straight
Si3N4 parts. The straight parts had the rod
axes orientated along the 〈1010〉 direction, which
is the closest packing direction of α-Si3N4.
There were two kinds of joints between the two adjacent straight
Si3N4 parts. Formation mechanism of the
Si3N4 nanorods is discussed.