Effect of Mg particle sizes on synthesis of mesoporous silicon carbide by magnesiothermic reduction process

ABSTRACTMesoporous silicon carbide has been prepared successfully from an MCM-48/polyacrylamide nanocomposite precursor in the temperature range of 550–600°C with Mg particle sizes ∼0.1 mm and temperature range of 650–700°C with Mg particle sizes ∼2 mm via magnesiothermic reduction of MCM-48/C nanocomposite. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM/EDS/X-ray map, and N2 adsorption-desorption. The results showed that the SiC powder at both 550–600°C and 650–700°C are mesoporous, and had high specific surface area of 300 and 177 m2/g, respectively. The results also showed that the Mg particle sizes affect the initiation temperature of combustion reaction.