Synthesis of zirconium carbide nanoparticles by polymerised complex route

Abstract

A polymerised complex route, based on polyesterification between tartaric acid–zirconium complex and ethylene glycol (EG), has been demonstrated to synthesise ZrC powders at a relatively low temperature (1300°C). The Fourier transform infrared results confirmed the coordination of tartaric acid to the zirconium ion. Furthermore, this complex reacted with EG through polyesterification to immobilise the metal ion in the rigid polymer. The intimate mixing of the reaction components has thus been achieved in ZrO₂/carbon ‘coke” due to the suppression of segregation of the reaction components during pyrolysis. Finally, well crystallised ZrC nanoparticles (50–150 nm) were obtained through the carbothermal reduction of ZrO₂/carbon ‘coke’, concerning the formation of the intermediate oxycarbide phase.

Keywords:

• Polymerised complex route
• Zirconium carbide nanoparticle
• Carbothermal reduction synthesis

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 51102282) and Aid Program for Science and Technology Innovative Research Team in Higher Educational Institutions of Hunan Province.