Silicon carbide nanopowders and nanowhiskers were synthesized using phenolic resin and silicon alkoxide as precursors through sol-gel process with atomic ratio of C/Si = 1.8 in water-solvent-catalyst-dispersant system. The effects of soaking time on free carbon content and synthesized beta-SiC particle morphology were evaluated at 1500 degrees C. The synthesis process of beta-SiC nanopowders was completed at 1500 degrees C after 1 h while beta-SiC nanowhiskers were heterogeneously nucleated and grown from obtained nanopowders after 2-3 h. The detected free carbon content in whiskers was less than 1% after 3 h. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.