Using carbon nanotubes for the synthesis of transition metal carbide nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of TiC, NbC and TaC were synthesized by a solid-state reaction using carbon nanotubes. The resulting materials were structurally analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). The nanoparticles were found to be spherical, and faceted structures were observed. The spheres for TiC, NbC and TaC were 100 nm in diameter. The faceted faces and crystal sizes were different up to the transition metals. The faceted structure of NbC was much larger than the spheres. In the case of TaC, {111} faces could be observed.