Synthesis of nano-structured 3C-SiC by carbothermal reduction of silicon bearing gel and carbon soot

Nano-sized 3C-SiC was synthesized using sol–gel method. The silica bearing sol was prepared using fumed silica and alkaline ethylene glycol which on hydrolysis resulted in a gel. The gel was mixed with nano-sized carbon particles (obtained from soot) and heat treated in 1300–1580 °C temperature range. The formation of 3C-SiC began at ~ 1400 °C and at 1580 °C it was observed to be the major phase while small amount of 2H-SiC was also present. The silicon carbide synthesized between 1400 and 1580 °C had particles in 30–50 nm range and crystallite size between 15 and 17 nm.