X-ray diffraction characterisation of carbide and carbonitride of Ti and Zr prepared through reaction between metal powders and carbon powders (graphitic or amorphous) in a solar furnace

Abstract

Non-stoichiometric carbide MC x (0.5 < x < 1) and carbonitride MC x N y (0.5 < x + y < 1) of IVa-group metals (M=Ti and Zr) were synthesised from compacted mixture of pure metal powders and carbon powders (graphite or amorphous carbon) under 30 min solar radiation at measured temperature around 1600°C. X-ray diffraction analysis of the reaction products showed that the composition x in MC x and x and y in MC x N y varied depending on whether the carbon was graphite or amorphous carbon like in the case of similar synthesis in traditional laboratory furnace. In the present work, no evidence of graphitisation of amorphous carbon was observed unlike in the case of solar carbide synthesis of some VIa-group metals (Cr and W).