Production of SiC–C composites by free-pressureless spark plasma sintering (FPSPS)

Received 12 February 2010; accepted 3 March 2010. published online 08 March 2010.

Synthesis of silicon carbide agricultural waste-derived activated carbon composite nanomaterials is demonstrated at heating rates of 25–100°C up to 1600°C in vacuum. The synthesis technique utilizes a novel free-pressureless spark plasma sintering (FPSPS) process. Improved macroscopic structural integrity is achieved through the development of SiC nanowire networks and preliminary specific surface area values of 69m2g−1 are measured, exhibiting potential application in catalyst support and adsorption applications. The advantages and potential of FPSPS processing for this material system are discussed.

Keywords: Spark plasma sintering (SPS), Silicon carbide nanowires (SiCNW), Nanosynthesis, Pressureless

Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 619 559 4627; fax: +1 619 594 3599.

PII: S1359-6462(10)00147-8

doi:10.1016/j.scriptamat.2010.03.009

22 of 40