Research Area 11.1 Short-Term Innovative Research (STIR) Program: Tailored Carbide Morphologies: Materials by Design for Creep Resistance at Ultra-high Temperatures

Abstract

Transition metal carbide (TMC) powders including TaC and ZrC with less than 300 nm in particle size have been successfully synthesized by a unique solvothermal approach. We have effectively modified the particle morphology of the TMC particles from round/irregular shapes to polyhedrons enclosed by {111} and {100} surfaces. We also report the formation of perfect/truncated nanocubes through the dual-effects of carbide diluent and transition metal doping. The TaC:Ni system demonstrated ~80% of morphological modification among the particles evaluated. The governing mechanisms for Ni to have significant impact on morphological modification include (1) the selective absorption of Ni atoms onto {100} surfaces and (2) the molten Ni acts as diluent for carbon dissolution and diffusion. The effectiveness of the carbide diluent is attributed to its lowering of the maximum combustion temperature during reaction, which prevents particle surfaces from roughening and rounding, promoting exposure of facets.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Dec 04, 2018
Source ID
W911NF1610585

Entities

People

  • Olivia A Graeve

Organizations

  • Army Contracting Command
  • United States Army
  • University of California, San Diego

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Nanoscale Plasmonic Nanotechnology
  • Powder metallurgy of Titanium alloys.