On the Fabrication of Niobium-Carbide Powders by the Reaction of Niobium with Acetone

The process of fabricating niobium-carbide powders using niobium powder as a precursor and acetone vapor as a carbon source is investigated in the temperature range of 650–850°C using magnesium as an in situ niobium deoxidizer. A comprehensive analysis of the powders is performed with determination of the carbide crystal structure and crystallite size using X-ray diffraction analysis, the specific surface area, and porosity of the powders using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) methods. Powders of niobium carbide NbC with cubic structure (Fm 3̅ m) are obtained. The specific surface of the powders are at the level of 9–26 m2/g. The powders are characterized by a mesoporous structure. The average crystallite sizes are 11–16 nm.