Large-scale SiC nanocables were synthesized on a Ni(NO3)(2)-catalyzed Si substrate by using a simple and cheap method based on thermal decomposition of methanol. Based on X-ray diffraction and high-magnification transmission electron microscopy, the as-grown nanocables consisted of crystalline SiC cores and amorphous SiO2 shells. The diameters of SiC cores were 5.7-10 nm and the thicknesses of SiO2 shells were 9-20 nm. Dividing of nanocables was observed and its origin was investigated. An asymmetric feature of SiC TO band with a shoulder at the high-frequency side was attributed to the contribution of SiC TO mode. The nanocables displayed strong violet-blue emission. A possible growth mechanism was proposed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.