On the Fabrication of Niobium-Carbide Powders by the Reaction of Niobium with Acetone

The process of fabricating niobium-carbide powders using niobium powder as a precursor and acetone vapor as a carbon source is investigated in the temperature range of 650–850°C using magnesium as an in situ niobium deoxidizer. A comprehensive analysis of the powders is performed with determination of the carbide crystal structure and crystallite size using X-ray diffraction analysis, the specific surface area, and porosity of the powders using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) methods. Powders of niobium carbide NbC with cubic structure (Fm $$\bar {3}$$ m) are obtained. The specific surface of the powders are at the level of 9–26 m2/g. The powders are characterized by a mesoporous structure. The average crystallite sizes are 11–16 nm.