Facile Electrochemical Synthesis of Nanoscale (TiNbTaZrHf)C High‐Entropy Carbide Powder

Abstract

AbstractHigh‐entropy alloys and compounds are becoming an important class of new materials due to their outstanding refractory and high‐temperature properties. However, preparation in bulk quantities and in powder form via classical metallurgical methods is challenging. Here, we report the first synthesis of an ultra‐high‐temperature high‐entropy carbide, (TiNbTaZrHf)C, via a facile electrochemical process. In this, a mixture of the individual metal oxides and graphite is deoxidised in a melt of CaCl2 at a temperature of only 1173 K. The (TiNbTaZrHf)C prepared is single‐phase fcc and has a powdery morphology with a particle‐size range of 15–80 nm. Such materials are in demand for modern additive manufacturing techniques, while preliminary tests have also indicated a possible application in supercapacitors. The successful synthesis of (TiNbTaZrHf)C powder may now guide the way towards establishing the electrochemical route for the preparation of many other entropy‐stabilised materials.