Synthesis and Characterization of TiC Nanofibers Obtained via a Modified Carbothermal Process

Abstract

A simple method for synthesis of titanium carbide (TiC) nanofibers by a modified carbothermal reduction of electrospun titanium‐based fibers is reported. The effect of synthesis steps on the final product is discussed. Continuous TiC fibers synthesized have a smooth surface morphology, with average diameter of 148 nm and length in the centimeter range. X‐ray diffraction and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis results indicate that the fibers consist of TiC of high purity. Impact of heat treatment on the morphology and chemical and crystalline composition of the product is also investigated. Based on the experimental evidence, it is hypothesized that the carbothermal reduction of calcined electrospun fibers with precoated carbon proceeds through diffusion‐limited shrinking core pathway while that of the as‐spun fibers follows the reaction‐limited solution precipitation mechanism. The TiC nanofibers also show superior sintering properties by increasing theoretical density of hot pressed TiB2 from 94.5% of theoretical density to 97.9% of theoretical density. When sintered with ceria, it improves the conductivity of the ceria by 18.29 times as compared to 2.94 times by TiC nanoparticles at 800 °C. The TiC nanofibers show metallic behavior as well as potential for application as electrochemical double layer capacitor supercapacitors.