Structural studies of nanoporous carbon produced from silicon carbide

X-ray diffraction and small-angle scattering study of nanoporous carbon samples prepared from polycrystalline α SiC and single-crystal 6H SiC is reported. The distribution function of carbon nanoclusters in size was found. In α SiC samples, the small size (10–12 Å) of nanoclusters is combined with their high size uniformity. Graphite-like nanoclusters 30–60 Å in size were found in samples of both types. In 6H SiC samples, such clusters make up a notable fraction of the volume. The experimentally observed structural anisotropy of the samples is discussed.