Investigation of the morphology and particle size of silicon carbide nanopowders using electron microscopy

Using transmission and scanning electron microscopy, the shape and particle size of nanopowders (NP) of silicon carbide and pyrolytic carbon are determined. The results are compared with other methods of analyzing the dimensional characteristics of NPs, and their tendency to aggregation is analyzed. It is established that silicon carbide NPs in the state of delivery are presented by globular aggregates from 0.1 to 1 μm in size which are formed by faced nanoparticles that are preferentially 50–70 nm in size. The latter are characterized by octahedron-, cube-, and intermediate-shaped facing; i.e., the tendency for rounded edges and vertexes and the formation of convex faces is observed. Nanoparticles of pyrolytic graphite form aggregates up to 150–200 nm in size containing globular particles 30–40 nm in size.