Rapid synthesis of nano-TiC particles by microwave heating method

Nanosize titanium carbide (TiC) particles were fabricated by microwave heating at 1100 °C for 10 min using carbon and tetrabutyl titanate as raw materials. The as-sintered precursor was prepared using the sol-gel method. The phase composition, morphology and microwave heating behavior of the heated products were investigated. It was found that TiC particles can be synthesized in a closed capsule of SiO _2 with the combined action of high temperature and gaseous products. TiC particles with an average diameter of 50 nm can be synthesized through microwave heating at 1100 °C for 10 min. Higher temperature and longer holding time would lead to re-oxidation and the coalescence of as-formed TiC products. This work demonstrates that this rapid and low-temperature preparation method of nanosize TiC particles has potential application for industrial production.