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Setup for sample preparation inside the microwave cavity.FESEM images of the mixtures of graphite and silica in the ratio of (a) 1:1; (b) 1:3; (c) 1:5 and (d) 1:7 after subjecting to microwave heating. Orange circle: SiO2 unreacted, blue circle: SiCNWs and red circle: unreacted graphite.XRD patterns of SiCNW synthesized by microwave heating of the mixtures of SiO2 and graphite in the ratios of (a) 1:1; (b) 1:3; (c) 1:5 and (d) 1:7.EDX spectra of the SiCNWs synthesized by using microwave heating from the mixtures of SiO2 and graphite with the ratios of (a) 1:1; (b) 1:3; (c) 1:5 and (d) 1:7.FT-IR spectra of SiCNWs synthesized using the microwave heating from the blend of SiO2 and graphite in the ratio of (a) 1:1; (b) 1:3; (c) 1:5 and (d) 1:7.PL spectrum of SiCNWs synthesized using the microwave heating from the mixture of SiO2 and graphite in the ratio of (a) 1:1; (b) 1:3; (c) 1:5 and (d) 1:7.TGA curves obtained by microwave heating of SiCNWs synthesized from the mixtures of SiO2 and graphite in the ratios of (a) 1:3 (weight loss 6 %); (b) 1:1 (weight loss 8 %); (c) 1:5 (weight loss 45 %); (d) 1:7 (weight loss 65 %).Interaction of microwave with graphite leading to dielectric heating of graphite.Formation of a whisker by VS mechanism.Schematic of SiCNWs growth from reaction of SiO and CO vapor.