Formation of TiC particle during carbothermal reduction of TiO2

Formation of TiC particle during carbothermal reduction of titanium dioxide (TiO2) was investigated. The mixture with TiO2 and carbon resin was reacted at 1500 °C for 0–45 min under flowing Argon atmosphere. The powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The partially reduced TiO2 particles were conglomerated in the initial stage of the reduction and the size of this conglomerate ranged from 500 to 1000 nm. After the complete reaction between Ti as a reduction product and C, the large conglomerates separated to homogeneous and fine TiC particles with a size of 80 nm.