Synthesis of nano-TiC powder using titanium gel precursor and carbon particles

Abstract

The paper presents a novel process for synthesis of nano-size titanium carbide by reaction between titanium bearing precursor gel and nano carbon particles derived from soot at different temperatures in the range of 1300–1580 °C for 2 h under argon cover. The HRTEM studies of TiC powder synthesized by heating at 1580 °C show the presence of cube shaped particles (~ 60–140 nm) and hollow rods (diameter ~ 30–185 nm). The average particle size of crystallites, calculated by Scherer equation is observed to be ~ 35 nm while the surface area–density measurements indicate it to be ~ 113 nm. The surface area decreases with increase in reaction temperature.