The Synthesis of Zirconium Carbide Nanoparticles by Lithium Thermal Reduction of Zirconium Dioxide and Waste Plastic

In this letter, zirconium carbide (ZrC) nanoparticles have been synthesized through the reaction of zirconium dioxide and waste polyethylene (PE) at 700 degrees C, in which metallic lithium acted as the reductant. X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicate that the obtained sample is face-centered cubic ZrC. As waste polyethylene is substituted by waste polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ZrC can also be produced through similar processes. Therefore, it is a general way for preparation of ZrC nanoparticles. Meantime, this strategy provides a novel way for reuse of waste plastic.