Synthesis of Silicon Carbide Nanocrystals using Waste Poly(vinyl butyral) Sheet

SiC nanocrystals were prepared using waste poly(vinyl butyral) sheet as a carbon source. SiO₂/poly(vinyl butyral) mixtures are converted to SiO₂/pyrolytic carbon composites via pyrolysis at low temperatures (500°C) in an Ar atmosphere. Subsequently, low-temperature magnesiothermic reduction and purification processes result in the formation of tiny SiC nanocrystals. The size of the synthesized SiC nanocrystals ranged from 3 to 12 nm, i.e., they are smaller than the SiO₂ precursor offering large specific surface area of 175.76 m²/g and are single phase as 3C-SiC. Hence, 3C-SiC nanocrystals were successfully synthesized using waste poly(vinyl butyral) through this simple, inexpensive, and scalable process, which will be a new application in the recycling industry.