Synthesis of functional ceramic nanocrystals (SiC, TiC, TiN) by arc-discharge plasma process

Ceramic nanomaterials are attractive due to the functional properties such as optical, electronic, thermal behaviors as well biocompatibility. In this work three kinds of functional ceramic nanocrystals, i.e. SiC (hexagonal platelet-like), TiC (truncated-octahedral) and TiN (cubic structured) were synthesized by a facial DC arc-discharge plasma process. Preparation atmospheres were chosen for the certain ceramic nanocrystals, e.g. source gases (CH4 and N2), inert gas (Ar) and active gas (H2) were employed to tailor the ceramic species and their morphology and size. Taking SiC nanocrystals as an example, the formation mechanism was discussed with experimental results of optical emission spectroscopy (OES) diagnoses.