Large-scale SiC-SiO2 core-shell nanowires decorated with carbon nanoparticles have been synthesized on Si substrate using thermal decomposition of ethanol. The amorphous carbon nanoparticles on SiO2 shell are of hemispherical configuration hiving a mean diameter of about 20 nm. The average size of carbon nanoparticles estimated from Raman measurement is 23.4 nm close to that evaluated from transmission electron microscopic observation. Strong enhancement of blue emission band and appearance of a new yellow emission band were observed in SiC-SiO2 core-shell nanowires decorated with carbon nanoparticles and their origins were discussed. A possible synthesis mechanism of SiC-SiO2 core-shell nanowires decorated with carbon nanoparticles was proposed. (c) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.