High temperature stable WC_1−x@C and TiC@C core–shell nanoparticles by pulsed plasma in liquid

Abstract

High temperature phase tungsten carbide and titanium carbide coated with graphitic carbon (WC1−x@C and TiC@C) nanoparticles were synthesized by pulsed plasma in liquid. HRTEM results show that the average size of WC1−x@C and TiC@C nanoparticles are 30 and 35 nm, respectively. Raman spectroscopy revealed well-organized graphitic coatings, which make the nanoparticles stable at higher temperatures and resistant to oxidation. Refinement of the XRD profiles showed larger cell parameters compared to JCPDS cards. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analyses showed the higher thermal stability up to 601 and 543.4 °C, for the WC1−x@C and TiC@C nanoparticles, these are 43% and 36% more compared to the thermal stability of previously reported nanoparticles, which degraded at around 350 °C.