Synthesis of nanocrystalline titanium carbide with a new convenient route at low temperature and its thermal stability

Nanocrystalline titanium carbide (TiC) has been prepared via a new convenient route by the reaction of metallic magnesium powder with titanium dioxide and basic magnesium carbonate in an autoclave at 550 °C. X-ray powder diffraction pattern indicated that the product was cubic titanium carbide, and the cell constant was a = 4.320 Å. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image showed that it consisted of particles with an average size of about 30 nm in diameter. The product was also studied by BET and TGA. It had good thermal stability and oxidation resistance below 350 °C in air.