Synthesis of nanosized zirconium carbide by laser pyrolysis route

Nanosized zirconium carbide was obtained by carburization of tetragonal zirconia/free carbon nanocomposites synthesized by laser pyrolysis technique using zirconium butoxide as precursor and ethylene as sensitizer gas. To achieve the carboreduction, the powder had to be annealed at high temperature under Ar atmosphere to reduce the oxygen and form zirconium carbide (ZrC). Different temperatures were investigated for the heat treatment to obtain the complete carburization while keeping the size as low as possible. The final ZrC grain size was as low as 35 nm. Powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and transmission electron microscopy.