Si-O-C nanotubes from pyrolyzing polycarbosilane in a mesoporous template

Si-O-C nanotubes were produced by pyrolyzing polycarbosilane (PCS) inside cylindrical pores of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates between 900 and 1100 deg. C. The diameters of these nanotubes were between 250 and 350 nm. The Si-O-C nanotubes were analyzed by SEM, TEM, EDS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The nanotubes were composed of a mixture of oxycarbide glass and carbon clusters. The ratio of Si:O:C in the nanotubes was about 1:0.97:3.3. Electron emission of the Si-O-C nanotubes was investigated by the current-voltage characterization at an anode-to-specimen distance of 67 μm. The electric field for obtaining electron emission to a current density of 10-4 A/cm2 from the Si-O-C nanotubes was about 7 V/μm