A novel method to synthesize vanadium carbonitride nanopowders by thermal processing precursor

Vanadium carbonitride nanopowders were successfully synthesized by a novel method to thermal processing precursor of ammonium vanadate (NH4VO3) and nanometer carbon black. The phase evaluation, microstructure and synthesization process were investigated by simultaneous thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These results show that single-phase VC0.61N0.39 nanopowder can be obtained at 1050 °C holding for 1 h in N2 atmosphere, which is much lower than those of the conventional synthesis methods and the particle size of product distribute homogeneously exhibiting sphere shape with average particle size of ∼60 nm. With reaction temperature increase, the lattice parameter of V(C1−xNx) increases gradually and the nitrogen content decreases continuously. When heated up to 1150 °C, V(C1−xNx) would transferred to V8C7 and a free carbon, and the particle sizes increase along with hard agglomerates.