Fabrication of tungsten carbide nanoparticles from refluxing derived precursor

Abstract

Tungsten carbide (WC) nanoparticles were fabricated from a novel refluxing-derived precursor. The precursor was prepared by acid hydrolysis of Na 2 WO 4 with concentrated HCl in water followed by refl uxing with ethanol and n-Dedocane, respectively. Then it was heat-treated to 1 200 ℃ for 2 h in vacuum to obtain WC nanoparticles. X-ray studies reveal the formation of hexagonal tungsten carbide and the grain size of 24.3 nm. SEM image shows WC nanoparticles with particle size of 20-60 nm. Long time refl uxing results in alkane dehydrogenation and coke formation. The coke is the carbon source in the carbothermal reduction reaction. The novel route of two-stage refl uxing is quite general and can be applied in the synthesis of similar carbides.