Up-scalable preparation of nano zirconium carbide powder in liquid polymeric precursor and its pyrolysis mechanism

Abstract Nano size ZrC powder was prepared by liquid polymeric precursor method. Zirconium n-butoxide (Zr(OnBu)4) and benzoylacetone (BA) were mixed directly with different molar ratios to synthesize transparent liquid zirconium carbide single-source precursors. The carbon content in the precursor could be changed by adding different amount of BA. X-ray pure ZrC was obtained when the molar ratio of BA/Zr(OnBu)4 was 4.6:1. The viscosity of the precursor was very low (