title: Fe(NO3)3-assisted large-scale synthesis of Si₃N₄ nanobelts from quartz and graphite by carbothermal reduction-nitridation and their photoluminescence properties.
abstract: The large-scale synthesis of Si3N4 nanobelts from quartz and graphite on a graphite-felt substrate was successfully achieved by catalyst-assisted carbothermal reduction-nitridation. The phase composition, morphology, and microstructure of Si3N4 nanobelts were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The Si3N4 nanobelts were ~4-5 mm long and ~60 nm thick and exhibited smooth surfaces and flexible shapes. The Si3N4 nanobelts were well crystallized and grow along the [101] direction. The growth is dominated by the combined mechanisms of vapor-liquid-solid base growth and vapor-solid tip growth. The Fe(NO3)3 played a crucial role in promoting the nanobelt formation in the initial stage. The room-temperature photoluminescence spectrum of Si3N4 nanobelts consists of three emission peaks centered at 413, 437, and 462 nm, indicating potential applications in optoelectronic nanodevices.
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083.
authors.forename: Shuyue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083.
authors.forename: Minghao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083.
authors.forename: Zhaohui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK.
authors.forename: Juntong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083.
authors.forename: Haipeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083.
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083.
authors.forename: Yan-gai
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Materials Science and Technology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083.
authors.forename: Xiaowen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu