Synthesis of porous ZrC particles derived from MOF-801

Abstract

Porous zirconium carbide (ZrC) nanoparticles were synthesized by carbothermal reduction using MOF-801, a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (Zr-MOF), and sucrose, which serves as an environment-friendly carbon source. The sucrose was adsorbed into the pores of MOF-801 for adjusting the carbon content. The results showed that the final ZrC particles retained the morphology of the initial MOF-801 particles with a round shape and a uniform size of 261 ± 37 nm. Importantly, the material was able to maintain its high surface area up to 1500 °C. The specific surface area of ZrC nanoparticles synthesized using a 1.5:1 Sucrose: MOF-801 molar ratio gradually decreased from 186 m2/g to 13 m2/g as the reaction temperature increased from 1500 °C to 2000 °C, revealing that the porosity of the porous ZrC particles can be controlled due to partial sintering inside the particles at different temperatures. Porous ZrC particles show promise for ultra-high temperature applications such as thermal insulation and as porous substrates.