Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles Research Articles

Effect of TiC addition on the mechanical properties and microstructure of Al-Si alloy

This study is focused on the development and characterization of a stir cast Al-Si alloy reinforced with titanium carbide nano-particles. The composite was developed using the stir casting method and the casted samples were prepared with TiC nano-particle at 0.4 (B1), 0.8 (B2), 1.2 (B3), 1.6 (B4) and 2.0 (B5) wt. % of the entire composition, as well as a control sample, and thereafter subjected to tensile and hardness tests. It was noticed that none of the samples at the chosen concentrations brought about a greater hardness value than that of the control sample (Sample A), however they all show a positive trend with an increase in the % wt. of reinforcement bringing about a possibility of increase in the hardness value. This suggests that a further increase above 2.0% of the reinforcement should bring about an increase in hardness above that of the base Al-Si alloy. On the other hand, the tensile strength was significantly increased upon reinforcement. B5 exhibited the highest tensile strength by displaying a transition from needles/plate-like to globular/fibrous morphology.

Additively manufactured copper matrix composites: Heterogeneous microstructures and combined strengthening effects

Abstract

Growth of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Controlled Structure: Floating Carbide Solid Catalysts.

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) horizontal arrays with specific chirality can be enriched using solid carbide catalysts on substrates. However, scale-up production by continuous loading of the solid catalysts onto the substrates is challenging. Described here is the preparation of a floating carbide solid catalyst (FSC) for the controlled growth of SWNTs. The FSC, titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticle, was directly obtained in the carrier gas phase by decomposition and carbonization of the titanocene dichloride precursor at high temperature. By using the TiC nanoparticle FSC, both SWNT horizontal arrays and randomly distributed networks can be obtained. The chirality of the as-grown SWNTs were thermodynamically controlled to have fourfold symmetry. Further optimization of growth condition resulted in an abundance of (16,8) tubes with about a 74 % content. This FSC chemical vapor deposition (FSCCVD) method has potential for realizing mass growth of SWNTs with controlled structures.

Growth of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Controlled Structure: Floating Carbide Solid Catalysts

AbstractSingle‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) horizontal arrays with specific chirality can be enriched using solid carbide catalysts on substrates. However, scale‐up production by continuous loading of the solid catalysts onto the substrates is challenging. Described here is the preparation of a floating carbide solid catalyst (FSC) for the controlled growth of SWNTs. The FSC, titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticle, was directly obtained in the carrier gas phase by decomposition and carbonization of the titanocene dichloride precursor at high temperature. By using the TiC nanoparticle FSC, both SWNT horizontal arrays and randomly distributed networks can be obtained. The chirality of the as‐grown SWNTs were thermodynamically controlled to have fourfold symmetry. Further optimization of growth condition resulted in an abundance of (16,8) tubes with about a 74 % content. This FSC chemical vapor deposition (FSCCVD) method has potential for realizing mass growth of SWNTs with controlled structures.

On the microstructure and tribological properties of pulse electrodeposited Ni-B4C-TiC nano composite coating on AZ80 magnesium alloy

Ni-B4C-TiC nanocomposite coating was successfully developed on AZ80 magnesium alloy by electrocodeposition technique using square wave form of pulse current. The duty cycle and the current density were varied and the frequency of the pulse current was fixed at 10 Hz. 0 g/L, 0.5 g/L and 1 g/L of Boron carbide and Titanium carbide nanoparticles were added to the Watt's nickel bath. The surface morphology of the coatings has been studied using SEM and XRD. The microhardness and wear resistance of the composite coatings have been analysed with Vickers microhardness tester and pin on disc tribometer. The nanocomposite coatings obtained with a current density of 2 A/dm2, duty cycle of 30%, 0.5 g/L of B4C and 1 g/L of TiC nanoparticles exhibited the highest hardness of 656 Hv and the lowest specific wear rate of 1.26E−8 mm3/Nm as compared to the uncoated substrate which had a hardness of 119.27 Hv. From the results, it is inferred that excellent grain refinement of nickel and orientation of nanoparticles brought about by the pulse current has played a significant role in the improvement of the coating properties.

Understanding titanium carbide nanoparticle formation by an underwater electrical explosion process through experimental and modeling studies

A new approach has been presented herein to prepare nano titanium carbide based on the underwater electrical explosion approach. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to investigate the morphology and composition of the electrical explosion products. A numerical model was established to investigate the nanoparticle formation process. The results show that the average diameter of the formed nanoparticles was ∼60 nm and approximately conformed to a lognormal distribution. Compared with the nanoparticles prepared by electrical explosion in gas, the nanoparticles prepared by the underwater electrical explosion had a smaller size distribution range and better sphericity. During the formation process of nanoparticles, the distribution of nanoparticles formed in a narrow temperature range near the specific temperature directly determined the characteristics of the final electrical explosion products. The specific temperature was ∼3400 K, which was also the specific temperature of the saturation ratio, the nucleation rate, the average diameter of the formed nuclei, the number of monomers, and the number of the formed nanoparticles. The diameters of nanoparticles obtained in the experiment were mainly concentrated between 50 and 70 nm, and the calculated diameters of the nanoparticles were mainly concentrated between 55 and 65 nm; therefore, the data obtained through the model were consistent with the experimental ones. These provide a way to synthesize the nano titanium carbide and a method to estimate their size and distribution, and it is hoped for understanding the evolution of the titanium wire underwater electrical explosion and the formation of nanoparticles.

Effect of pulse parameters on the morphology of electroplated Ni–W–TiC nanocomposite coating

ABSTRACT The impacts of pulse current electroplating variables such as frequency, duty cycle, and concentration of titanium carbide nanoparticles on the morphology of Ni–W–TiC nanocomposite coating applied on a low-carbon steel substrate were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was applied for analysing morphology, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy was utilized for locating titanium carbide nanoparticles in higher levels of magnification. The hardness of the coatings was evaluated through microhardness testing in accordance with Vickers standard, while XRD analysis was performed to determine the phases and crystalline structures’ planes present in the coating. The optimal nanocomposite coating sample with a hardness of 909 HV was achieved under pulse current with 100 Hz frequency, 60% duty cycle, 20 A dm−2 current density, and 5 g L−1 titanium carbide nanoparticle concentration.

Enhancement of surface properties of AZ80A magnesium alloy by titanium carbide particle reinforcement using electro-codeposition technique

Abstract Alloys of magnesium have been the most preferred materials in the manufacturing industry due to many attractive properties, especially high strength to weight ratio. However, outdoor applications of this metal is very scarce because of their poor wear and corrosion resistance. This work was attempted to understand the changes in the microstructure, microhardness and the wear behavior of the composite coating effected by the direct and pulsed current. Titanium carbide nano particles along with nickel metal matrix were coated on AZ80A magnesium alloy by electro codeposition technique. Special pretreatment procedures and interlayer coatings were done to prevent the metal from being corroded during electrodeposition of nickel in watts bath. The microhardness, microstructure and composition of the composite coatings were analyzed using Vicker’s microhardness tester, SEM and EDS techniques respectively. It was found that the samples coated with pulsed current exhibited more refined grains thereby yielding a compact coating with higher hardness and wear resistance in comparison with the samples coated with direct current

Photonic hook formation in near-infrared with MXene Ti3C2 nanoparticles.

MXenes, a recently developed class of 2D materials, have attracted considerable attention because of their graphene-like but highly tunable properties. It appears that the metallic properties of MXene titanium carbide are pronounced in near-infrared with well-defined localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Here, we report on a curved photonic nanojet, known as the photonic hook, applied on a titanium carbide nanoparticle for the particle's optomechanical manipulation. We show that the optical forces generated and applied on titanium carbide nanoparticles of various shapes are based on the LSPR excitation in near-infrared. We compare the obtained results to traditional plasmonic gold nanoparticles which exhibit LSPR in visible. Considering the diversity of the MXene family, this study is a first step towards photonic devices that utilize optomechanical manipulation in near-infrared for biomedical research, optical trapping and others.

Synthesis of pure titanium carbide and titanium carbide/hydride core-shell nanoparticles via the flow-levitation method, and their characterization

The objective of this work is to synthesize pure stoichiometric titanium carbide and stoichiometric titanium carbide/hydride core-shell nanoparticles using the Guen-Miller Flow-Levitation method. The nanoparticulate are obtained via chemical reaction between nascent titanium nanoparticles and tailored gaseous hydrocarbons. Characterization of the nanoparticles is performed using analytical techniques including transmission electron microscopy, electron and X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis and specific surface area analysis. The results confirm the single-crystal nature and purity of the titanium carbide nanoparticles and demonstrate the coherence of single crystal titanium carbide core and titanium hydride shell in the TiC/TiH2 core-shell nanoparticles.

Effect of Increasing the Strength of Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposites Reinforced with Microadditions of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Coated with TiC Nanoparticles.

Aluminum matrix composites reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are promising materials for applications in various high-tech industries. Control over the processes of interfacial interaction in Al/MWCNT composites is important to achieve a high level of mechanical properties. The present study describes the effects of coating MWCNTs with titanium carbide nanoparticles on the formation of mechanical properties and the evolution of the reinforcement structure in bulk aluminum matrix nanocomposites with low concentrations of MWCNTs under conditions of solid-phase consolidation of ball-milled powder mixtures. Using high-energy ball milling and uniaxial hot pressing, two types of bulk nanocomposites based on aluminum alloy AA5049 that were reinforced with microadditions of MWCNTs and MWCNTs coated with TiC nanoparticles were successfully produced. The microstructural and mechanical properties of the Al/MWCNT composites were investigated. The results showed that, on the one hand, the TiC nanoparticles on the surface of the MWCNT hybrid reinforcement reduced the damage of reinforcement under the intense exposure of milling bodies, and on the other hand, they reduced the contact area of the MWCNTs with the matrix material (acting as a barrier interface), which also locally inhibited the reaction between the matrix and the MWCNTs.

Electric arc synthesis of titanium carbide nanoparticles

The structure of titanium carbide nanoparticles formed at electric arc spraying of composite Ti-C electrodes is studied. It is shown that the size of titanium carbide particles in condensation products varies in the range of 10–50 nm, crystal lattice of nanoparticles corresponds to TiC carbide. Annealing the material in an oxygen-containing atmosphere leads to carbon burnout and oxidation of titanium carbide nanoparticles. The main part of carbon is oxidized in the temperature range of 250–500°C, oxidation of titanium carbide nanoparticles occurs in the range from 320 to 400°C. When annealed to the temperatures of 1000°C, sintering of oxide TiO2 nanoparticles occurs. The proposed method can be used to obtain particles of titanium carbide with a shape close to the TiC crystal.

Additive manufacturing of high-strength crack-free Ni-based Hastelloy X superalloy

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is a proven additive manufacturing (AM) technology for producing metallic components with complex shapes using layer-by-layer manufacture principle. However, the fabrication of crack-free high-performance Ni-based superalloys such as Hastelloy X (HX) using LPBF technology remains a challenge because of these materials’ susceptibility to hot cracking. This paper addresses the above problem by proposing a novel method of introducing 1 wt.% titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles. The findings reveal that the addition of TiC nanoparticles results in the elimination of microcracks in the LPBF-fabricated enhanced HX samples; i.e. the 0.65% microcracks that were formed in the as-fabricated original HX were eliminated in the as-fabricated enhanced HX, despite the 0.14% residual pores formed. It also contributes to a 21.8% increase in low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) and a 98 MPa increase in yield strength. The study revealed that segregated carbides were unable to trigger hot cracking without sufficient thermal residual stresses; the significantly increased subgrains and low-angle grain boundaries played a key role in the hot cracking elimination. These findings offer a new perspective on the elimination of hot cracking of nickel-based superalloys and other industrially relevant crack-susceptible alloys. The findings also have significant implications for the design of new alloys, particularly for high-temperature industrial applications.

Changes in the mechanical properties of powdered aluminum matrix composites modified with micro additive hybrid materials based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with titanium carbide nanoparticles

The method of powder metallurgy produced bulk composite materials based on aluminum alloy AMg2, strengthened with 0.05 wt.% MWCNT and MWCNT, decorated with TiC nanoparticles. The results of a comparative analysis of the structure-phase composition and properties of powder composites are presented. It has been established that the use of MWCNT-hybrid filler contributes to an increase in the conditional yield strength during compression of a composite material compared with an aluminum-matrix composite filled with MWCNT.

Changes in the Mechanical Properties of Powder Aluminum Matrix Composites Modified by Microadditives of Hybrid Materials Based on Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Decorated with Titanium Carbide Nanoparticles

The method of powder metallurgy produced bulk composite materials based on aluminum alloy AMg2, strengthened with 0.05 wt.% MWCNT and MWCNT, decorated with TiC nanoparticles. The results of a comparative analysis of the structure-phase composition and properties of powder composites are presented. It has been established that the use of MWCNT-hybrid filler contributes to an increase in the conditional yield strength during compression of a composite material compared with an aluminum-matrix composite filled with MWCNT.

Synthesis of titanium carbide nanoparticles by wire explosion process and its application in carbon dioxide adsorption

Titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles have been synthesized by exploding titanium wire in methane as well as diluted acetylene atmosphere at different gas pressures. The synthesized samples have been annealed to enhance the level of carburization and to reduce the amount of excess amorphous carbon present on the surface of the as-synthesized nanoparticles. The crystallinity, surface morphology and surface area of the produced nanocarbide samples have been probed by various characterization techniques. The size of the carbide nanoparticles was measured using lognormal distribution derived from transmission electron microscopy analysis. An increase in the applied energy shows a significant reduction in particle size irrespective of the operating pressure. Further, TiC nanoparticles have been utilized to study the CO2 adsorption properties at different temperatures and in low pressure (≤1 bar). The synthesized nanoparticles may not show very high adsorption capacities, but significant enhancement in adsorption has been observed when compared to bulk TiC. The isosteric heat of adsorption was determined from the variation of pressure with temperature at a constant excess gas uptake. The standard enthalpy change (ΔH) observed during adsorption manifests that the adsorption process in TiC is exothermic and within the range of physisorption such that the gas can be regenerated easily from the material utilizing minimum energy.

A Sensitive Pyrimethanil Sensor Based on Electrospun TiC/C Film.

Titanium carbide (TiC) is a very significant transition metal carbide that displays excellent stability and electrical conductivity. The electrocatalytic activity of TiC is similar to noble metals but is much less expensive. Herein, carbon nanofibers (CNFs)-supported TiC nanoparticles (NPs) film (TiC/C) is prepared by electrospinning and carbothermal processes. Well-dispersed TiC NPs are embedded tightly into the CNFs frameworks. The electrochemical oxidation of pyrimethanil (PMT) at the TiC/C-modified electrode displays enhanced redox properties, and the electrode surface is controlled simultaneously both by diffusion and adsorption processes. When TiC/C is applied for PMT determination, the as-fabricated sensor shows good sensing performance, displaying a wide linear range (0.1–600 μM, R2 = 0.998), low detection limit (33 nM, S/N = 3), and good reproducibility with satisfied anti-interference ability. In addition, TiC/C shows long-term stability and good application in natural samples. The facile synthetic method with good sensing performance makes TiC/C promising as novel electrode materials to fabricate efficient sensors.

Effect of C/H and C/O ratios on the arc discharge synthesis of titanium carbide nanoparticles in organic liquids

TiC nanoparticles were synthesized by submerged direct current (DC) arc discharge in liquid. Synthesis process was carried out in methanol, ethanol and acetone under inert atmosphere by applying 40 A between two pure titanium electrodes with vertical configuration. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy were used for characterization of nanoparticles. In addition, plasma species were characterized via optical emission spectroscopy (OES). According to the obtained results, nanoparticle shape is spherical, and average particle size of nanoparticles is 28, 45 and 38 nm in methanol, ethanol and acetone, respectively. Although composition of nanoparticles in ethanol and acetone is single-phase of TiC, the presence of around 30% of rutile phase of TiO2 was observed in methanol. According to the OES observation, TiC nanoparticle formation mechanisms are discussed based on the decomposition of organic liquids in arc discharge zone, formation of some carbon species and reaction of this carbon-containing species with Ti species in plasma. In addition, C/H and C/O ratios play a critical role in formation and dominant phase of final product. These results demonstrate a simple and flexible method for rapid mass production of TiC and other refractory metal carbides nanoparticles in an appropriate organic liquid.

LASER CLADDING OF HOT WORK TOOL STEEL (H13) WITH TIC NANOPARTICLES

In this study, titanium carbide nanoparticles (TiC) were coated on the surface of X40CrMoV51 (H13) hot work tool steel by laser coating method. Two stage laser cladding method was employed for coating processes. In the first stage, TiC powders were mixed in the phonelic resin and precoated at 50 µm thickness on the surface of steel substrate under vacuum. In the second stage, laser was directed to the surface and then hard coating layers were obtained on the steel surfaces. A CO2 laser with 2000 W power was operated at continuous-wave mode in the experiments. All laser cladding processes were performed under N2 atmosphere and various laser powers were selected to show the effect of laser power on the quality of coated steel surfaces. The morphology and phase structures were examined by scanning electron microscopy, Xray spectroscopy and optic microscope, respectively. The hardness of coating layers and bonding strength was defined with micro hardness tests and scratch test. The thickness of the coatings layers were measured in the range of 15-130 µm depending on laser powers. It is seen that crack-free, smooth and homogenous coating layers can be obtained at 237 W laser power. According to the hardness and micro-scratch tests results, hardness was improved significantly, and all coating layers had a good metallurgical strength to the substrate.

Fabrication of New Nanocomposites (PMMA-SPO-PS-TiC) and Studying Their Structural and Electrical Properties for Humidity Sensors

Samples have been prepared by adding Titanium carbide nanoparticles to the Poly (methyl methacrylate) and Ethylene-alpha olefin co-polymer (SPO) and Polystyrene (PS) with different weight percentages (o, 2, 4, 6 and 8) wt%. The FTIR analysis, electrical, dielectric, and structural properties have been studied.The dielectric loss and The dielectric constant decrease with increasing of Titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles. The A.C electrical conductivity increases with increasing of Titanium carbide (TiC) concentrations and frequency. The D.C electrical conductivity increases with increasing of Titanium carbide (TiC) concentration and temperature. The Activation energy decreases with increasing of Titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles. The Humidity sensor application showed that the electrical resistance of (PMMA-SPO-PS-TiC) nanocomposites decreases with increase the Humidity.