PREPARATION OF NICKEL CARBIDE ULTRAFINE PARTICLES BY METAL VAPOR METHODS

Highly reactive nanoscale nickel particles were prepared by nickel atom clustering in low-temperature pentane. During this process some carbonaceous material was incorporated due to attack on pentane of the highly reactive growing clusters. These nickel particles could be converted cleanly and completely to Ni3C by treatment with additional carbon sources (e.g., octene, octane, or methyl methacrylate) at 200-degrees-C. Similar results have been observed with palladium. Comparisons with other activated forms of nickel (or palladium) reveal that the metal vapor method is most satisfactory. Active forms of both Ni and C are necessary for metal carbide formations.