Mechanosynthesis of rhenium carbide at ambient pressure and temperature

•Re2C was obtained by mechanosynthesis at 640 min from rhenium and graphite.•Polyhedral shape is the preferential growth morphology of Re2C.•Thermogravimetric analysis shows stability of material at up to 800 °C.

We report the synthesis of Re2C at ambient pressure and temperature. The formation of rhenium carbide (Re2C) from the elements was obtained by mechanochemical treatment after 640 min of milling. The microscopy analysis shows polyhedral particle agglomerates with diameters of less than 600 nm. Thermogravimetric analysis results revealed the stability of material at up to 800 °C as well as chemical and surface analysis of polyhedral particles which show oxidative properties and a surface area of 2.0 m2 g− 1, respectively.

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