Visible photoluminescence (PL) broad bands are observed in the Raman spectra of SiC nanoparticles (np-SiC) with diameters ranging from 10 to 25 nm. The phenomenon is studied versus the particle size, chemical composition, annealing, and oxidation treatments. In the case of quasistoichiometric np-SiC, excitation by 514-nm radiation gives rise to broad red PL emissions mainly enhanced by the amorphous fraction of the particles and by the surface chemical disorder induced by oxidation. The PL spectra are quantitatively analyzed using numerical methods based on cluster approaches. PL bands are calculated as a function of the cluster geometry and defects (carbon and silicon vacancies), as well as the oxygen location within np-SiC sites. The relevance of this numerical analysis is discussed to account for the main features of the PL broad structure. The PL signature in SiC nanopowders can be used to monitor the physical organization of the np-SiC and to point out their amorphous structure fraction, surface states, and the defect contents.

• Received 24 April 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.66.155317