Transition metal carbides are known to have interesting chemical, physical, and catalytic properties, however most research into these compounds has focused on powdered or otherwise unstructured materials. This project investigates the feasibility of producing pure carbides from macroscopically structured carbon sources. The primary carbon source for this investigation is buckypaper, which is comprised of compressed multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT’s). Through frit filtration a suspension of MWCNT’s and a fine metal powder can be compressed to form a composite buckypaper. This starting material was then heated to a reactive temperature between 700°C and 1050°C in the presence of a eutectic salt flux. The resulting material maintains a similar shape and dimensions to that of the starting material. Using this method group IV, V, and VI transition metal carbides were synthesized, and the method was expanded to include buckypaper comprised of graphene nanoplatelets. We then explored the macroscopic physical properties present in the bulk material which have otherwise been unstudied.

Synthesis and properties of transition metal carbide buckypaper

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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