Synthesis and Characterization of ZrC Nano-Powder and its Potential Role to Increase the Cladding Material Properties

Abstract

Nanocrystalline powders of ZrC were prepared by mechanochemical synthesis of elemental Zirconium (Zr) and Carbon (C) powder. Two different Process Control Agents (PCA’s), i.e. Toluene and n-Hexane were used to avoid the agglomeration of the nanoparticles. For the purpose of the present study, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) have been employed. A complete single phase of fcc-ZrC was obtained after 165 ks of milling time. No impurity other than oxygen was detected in the samples. n-Hexane compare to toluene was observed to inhibit the agglomeration more efficiently. ZrC nanoparticles were successfully synthesized indigenously, using mechanochemical synthesis. This can be used as a potential coating agent in indigenous industry specially the nuclear power industry.