The Preparation and Characterization of β‐SiAlON Nanostructure Whiskers

Two kinds of β ‐SiAlON nanostructure whiskers, rod‐like and wool‐like whiskers, were synthesized by pressure‐less sintering method at 1773 K for 5 hours. The whiskers synthesized were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and high‐resolution electron microscope (HREM) techniques. It was found that diameter distribution of rod‐like whiskers was about 80–250 nm, while it was about 45–55 nm in diameter for the wool‐like whiskers. The growth mechanisms of β ‐SiAlON nanostructure whiskers are discussed by the vapor‐solid (VS) and vapor‐liquid‐solid (VLS) mechanisms, respectively.