Low-temperature synthesis of Ti3SiC2 powders in mixed molten salts

ABSTRACT A homogeneous and high-purity titanium silicon carbon powder (Ti3SiC2) is synthesised, using titanium, silicon and carbon black powders as raw starting materials at low temperatures via an improved molten salt method. This work demonstrates that multiple molten salts are more beneficial in facilitating the synthesis of Ti3SiC2 powder. The effect of reaction temperature on the purity of the synthesis was investigated, and the amount of excess Si required to compensate for their evaporating losses was determined. The powders were characterised by Various instruments. SEM and TEM images show that the as-prepared Ti3SiC2 retained its homogeneous morphology, and is near-pure, 500-600 nm in size, and generally well-dispersed. We believe that TiC and TiSi2 formed by the molten salt method at low temperatures is the dominant factor in the reduced synthesis temperature and good dispersion of the final Ti3SiC2 powder.