Low-temperature catalytic synthesis of SiC powders using phenolic resin as carbon resource

β-SiC powders were synthesized in Ar atomosphere at 1300℃ for 30 min via a catalytic reaction method with silicon powders and phenolic resin as raw materials, and nickel nitrate as a catalyst precursor. The effects of temperature, catalyst content, holding time and molar ratio of C/Si on the formation of the SiC powders were investigated. The phase composition and microstructure of the final products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The results indicate that for the sample without Ni catalysts, the synthesis condition of β-SiC is 1350℃ and 3 h, and the most of products are granular β-SiC. In contrast, for the sample with 0.50% Ni as catalysts (n(C):n(Si)=1.2:1.0), β-SiC can be synthesized at 1300℃ for 3 h, and a great amount of β-SiC whiskers are obtained. The formation process of β-SiC whiskers is based on a solid-liquid-gas-solid growth mechanism.