Synthesis and Characterization of Tantalum Carbide Nanoparticles.

Abstract

Transition metal carbides are in demand for their unique properties resembling with metal and ceramic constituents. These carbides have high hardness, high melting temperature, high-temperature strength. They have been used as hard constituents in metal matrix composites for high temperature applications and as coatings on cutting tools. Among these carbides, tantalum carbide is a very important and promising example for industrial applications. Therefore in the present study tantalum carbide (TaC) nanoparticles were synthesized through a reduction-carburization route by using tantalum pentaoxide and acetone (C3H6O) as Ta and C sources along with metallic Mg as the reductant at 600 °C and 800 °C in an autoclave. The as-prepared TaC nanopowders were characterized and studied by X-ray powder diffraction, Scanning electron microscope at room temperature. The thermal stability of synthesized powder was investigated by DTA/TGA. The XRD results indicate that optimum reaction condition for the formation of nanocrystalline TaC was 600 °C for 10 h carburization at high pressure. The TaC nanoparticles produced from the present route typically have an average size below 50 nm. The influencing factors of the formation of the TaC nanopowder have been discussed in present work.