Low temperature synthesis of vanadium carbide (VC)

Abstract Nanocrystalline VC has been prepared via a convenient route by the reaction of metallic magnesium powder with vanadium pentoxide and basic magnesium carbonate in an autoclave at 650 °C. X-ray powder diffraction pattern indicated that the product was cubic vanadium carbide, and the cell constant was a  = 4.155 A. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image showed particles with an average size of about 60 nm. The product was also studied by BET and TGA. It had good thermal stability and oxidation resistance below 350 °C in air.