Low-temperature synthesis of TaC through transparent tantalum-carbon containing gel

Thermodynamic modeling of the synthesis of tantalum monocarbide via the carbothermic reduction of tantalum(V) oxide indicates that TaC synthesis is thermodynamically plausible below 1000°C at pressures from 1 × 10−5 to 1 × 10−4 MPa. Using a Ta(OC5H11)5 solution in n-pentanol, we prepared a transparent tantalum-carbon containing gel and then a fine-particle Ta2O5 + C mixture, which was used to synthesize tantalum monocarbide at temperatures from 850 to 1200°C and pressures from 10−5 to 10−4 MPa. The elemental and phase compositions of the samples were determined, and the morphology of the TaC particles was examined by electron microscopy.