ZrB2-ZrC composite nanofibers fabricated by electrospinning and carbothermal reduction: Processing, phase evolution and tensile property

Abstract

ZrB2-ZrC composite nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning and carbothermal reduction. The morphology, phase composition and interface were characterized. The fabricated ZrB2-ZrC composite nanofibers are uniform and the diameter is about 100 nm. The effects of heat-treatment temperature, n(B)/n(Zr) and n(C)/n(Zr) on the microstructure and phase composition of composite nanofibers were systematically investigated. The results shows heat-treatment temperature has influence on the phase composition and grain size of the ZrB2-ZrC composite nanofibers. The content of ZrC in the ZrB2-ZrC composite nanofibers can be adjusted by the value of n(B)/n(Zr) in the precursors. As n(B)/n(Zr) equal to 3.5, the mass ratio between ZrB2 and ZrC is about 48:52 which is very close to the eutectic composition of ZrB2-ZrC composites. The value of n(C)/n(Zr) also affects the phase composition of composite nanofibers. Reaction process and phase evolution during heat-treatment were studied based on analysis of reaction thermodynamics. The value of n(B)/n(Zr) influences the phase evolution during fabrication of ZrB2-ZrC composite nanofibers. The tensile mechanical properties were tested, indicating that the addition of ZrC has the ability to improve the plasticity of ZrB2.