Synthesis and characterization of chromium carbide nanopowders processed by mechanical alloying assisted microwave heating route

Chromium carbide nanopowders were synthesized via mechanical alloying assisted microwave heating route using micron-sized chromic oxide (Cr2O3) and nano-sized carbon black as raw materials. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The results show that the ultimate weight loss revealed by TG curve is 47.6 wt%. The transformation temperature (1030 degrees C) of the mixture after mechanical alloying is much lower than that of the traditional mixing method (1122 degrees C). Chromium carbide nanopowders have been successfully synthesized at 1000 degrees C for 1 h. The powders show good dispersion and are mainly composed of spherical or near-spherical particles with a mean diameter of about 50 nm. Compared with the traditional carbon thermal reduction method, the reaction temperature and time synthesized by mechanical alloying assisted microwave heating method can be reduced and shortened by 400 degrees C and 3 h, respectively. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.