Synthesis and Morphological Analysis of Titanium Carbide Nanopowder

One of the major challenges in the development of nanostructured/ultrafine nonoxide ceramics is the synthesis of nonagglomerated-nanosized ceramic powders. Here, we investigate carbothermal reduction to obtain spherical titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm in diameter. Using a combination of characterization techniques, it has been confirmed that optimum thermal reduction conditions include a temperature of 1350 degrees C with 1 h holding in an argon atmosphere. A three-parameter Weibull distribution function provides a satisfactory fit for the size distribution of the synthesized TiC nanoparticles. Varying the synthesis time at 1350 degrees C revealed the particle coarsening exponent "n" to be 2.9 and that particle shapes change from spherical at 1 h to more faceted at longer holding times of 4 h.