Detonation Synthesis of Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles

Detonation of explosives was used to synthesize silicon carbide nanoparticles. Polycarbosilane was added to a mixture of 1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, which was subsequently detonated in an enclosed chamber backfilled with inert gas. X-ray diffraction analysis of the detonation soot was consistent with the presence of crystalline silicon with a diamond cubic structure and cubic silicon carbide, along with amorphous material. Further analysis by transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of crystalline angular particles. High resolution imaging showed that the particles contained numerous stacking faults along the [111] direction and had an interplanar spacing of 2.5 Å, both of which are characteristic of beta (cubic) silicon carbide. This is the first report of the detonation synthesis of silicon carbide by dissolving a silicon-containing precursor into an explosive composition.