Surface modification of carbon nanofibers with SiC by heating different SiO vapor sources in argon atmosphere

In order to improve interfacial bonding strength between carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and SiC matrix in CNFs/SiC composites and to disperse CNFs uniformly in the matrix, SiC coating on surface of CNFs was performed in argon atmosphere in the temperature range of 1400 to 1800°C using SiO2, SiO, and mixture of Si and SiO2 powders (Si/SiO2 powder) as silicon sources, and the modification and dispersibility of the treated CNFs were investigated. β-SiC particles were deposited on the surface of the CNFs in all the specimens at 1600–1800°C. So more SiC was formed by heating CNFs with SiO powder at 1600°C. However, the formed SiC was oxidized at higher temperature, practically, at 1800°C. This oxidation was advanced more by using SiO2 and Si/SiO2 powders as silicon sources and very fine carbon fibers were observed on the surface of CNFs. The dispersibilities of CNFs heated with Si/SiO2 and SiO powders were superior to those of as-received CNFs, CNFs treated with NaClO3 solution and CNFs heated with SiO2 powder, which resulted from the advanced oxidation of CNFs and the silanol group (–SiOH) on surface of formed SiC.ArticleJ. Ceram. Soc. Jpn. 122(1429):822-828 (2014)journal articl