Electric arc synthesis of titanium carbide nanoparticles

The structure of titanium carbide nanoparticles formed at electric arc spraying of composite Ti-C electrodes is studied. It is shown that the size of titanium carbide particles in condensation products varies in the range of 10–50 nm, crystal lattice of nanoparticles corresponds to TiC carbide. Annealing the material in an oxygen-containing atmosphere leads to carbon burnout and oxidation of titanium carbide nanoparticles. The main part of carbon is oxidized in the temperature range of 250–500°C, oxidation of titanium carbide nanoparticles occurs in the range from 320 to 400°C. When annealed to the temperatures of 1000°C, sintering of oxide TiO₂ nanoparticles occurs. The proposed method can be used to obtain particles of titanium carbide with a shape close to the TiC crystal. (paper)