A Chemical Co‐Reduction Route to Synthesize Nanocrystalline Vanadium Carbide

Abstract

Nanocrystalline vanadium carbide (VC) was synthesized via a chemical co‐reduction process, in which VCl 4 and CCl 4 were used as the vanadium source and the carbon source, respectively, and metallic Na as a reductant in an autoclave at 500°C for 12 h. X‐ray powder diffraction indicated that the product was an NaCl type of VC with a cell constant a =4.171 Å. A transmission electron microscopy image showed the VC particles were 10–40 nm in size. X‐ray photoelectron spectrum and Raman spectrum showed the surface covered with oxide and graphite. The formation of nanocrystalline VC was discussed based on thermodynamics.