Thermochemistry and growth mechanism of TiC nanowires synthesized by carbothermal reduction

Titanium carbide (TiC) nanowires are synthesized by carbothermal reduction reaction at 1473–1673 K in argon atmosphere. The structure and morphology of TiC nanowires are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The chemical reaction thermodynamics and the growth mechanism of TiC nanowires are investigated based on the Ti-C-O-Cl system. It involves the formation of gaseous TiClx and CO crucial intermediates, and the further carbon reduction of TiClx to TiC. Based on the thermodynamic analysis, the two-stage growth mechanism of TiC nanowires is discussed. The work could help to analyze the thermochemistry of the carbothermal reduction reaction in the Ti-C-O-Cl system, which is beneficial to optimize the temperature and the input precursors for controlling TiC nanowires growth.