Facile one-step solid-state reaction to synthesis of hafnium carbide nanoparticles at low temperature

Abstract

Usually, the synthetic process of hafnium carbide (HfC) by using hafnium dioxide as hafnium source requires high reaction temperature. In this study, we have successfully synthesized HfC nanoparticles by a solid state reaction of hafnium dioxide, lithium carbonate and metallic magnesium in a stainless-steel autoclave at 700°C for 10 h. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern reveals that the obtained sample is cubic phase HfC with lattice constant of a = 4.633 Å. Scanning electron microscope images show that the obtained HfC sample is composed of uniform particles with an average size of about 10 nm. Furthermore, the formation mechanism and oxidation resistance of the HfC nanoparticles have been investigated.