Nanocrystalline SiC powders were prepared at low temperature (≤1300°C) by carbothermal reduction reactions in silica/carbon mixtures. Fine-scale mixing of the reactants was achieved by using solution-based processing. Mechanistic studies indicated that the SiC formed in accordance with the "shrinking core" reaction model in which the rate was controlled by the reaction of silicon monoxide vapor at the carbon surface.
