Phase equilibria, phases and compounds in the V-C system

The review summarises the results of experimental and theoretical investigations dealing with phase equilibria and the synthesis and prediction of new compounds and phases in the vanadium-carbon system. The generalised thermodynamic characteristics of disordered cubic vanadium monocarbide VCy and lower hexagonal vanadium subcarbide V2Cy', which are the most important compounds in the V-C system, are surveyed. The crystal structures of all known and possible compounds formed by vanadium and carbon, including the V8C12 molecular cluster, are discussed in detail. The phase diagrams for the V-C system taking into account ordering of nonstoichiometric vanadium carbide VCy are considered.