The Synthesis, Structure, Morphology Characterizations and Evolution Mechanisms of Nanosized Titanium Carbides and Their Further Applications

Abstract

It is widely known that the special performances and extensive applications of the nanoscale materials are determined by their as-synthesized structures, especially their growth sizes and morphologies. Hereinto, titanium carbides, which show brilliant comprehensive properties, have attracted considerable attention from researchers. How to give full play to their potentials in the light-weight manufacture, microwave absorption, electromagnetic protection, energy conversion and catalyst areas has been widely studied. In this summarized article, the synthesis methods and mechanisms, corresponding growth morphologies of titanium carbides and their further applications were briefly reviewed and analyzed according to their different morphological dimensions, including one-dimensional nanostructures, two-dimensional nanosheets and three-dimensional nanoparticles. It is believed that through the investigation of the crystal structures, synthesis methods, growth mechanisms, and morphology characterizations of those titanium carbides, new lights could be shed on the regulation and control of the ceramic phase specific morphologies to meet with their excellent properties and applications. In addition, the corresponding development prospects and challenges of titanium carbides with various growth morphologies were also summarized.

Reaction behaviors and specific exposed crystal planes manipulation mechanism of TiC nanoparticles

“…Interestingly, with a relative high surface‐to‐mass ratio, the nanoscale TiC ceramics perform distinct surface functional performances over their bulk counterparts in a limited volume 8 . In addition, customized performances of TiC nanoparticles could be readily achieved by deliberate selection of exposed specific crystal planes 9–11 . Unfortunately, a pivotal issue, which challenges the morphology manipulation and personalized application of the TiC nanoparticles in both laboratories and industries, is the poor synthesis controllability.…”

Crystal Facet Engineering of Single‐Crystalline TiC Nanocubes for Improved Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

“…[ 11 ] In a conventional self‐propagating high‐temperature synthesis (SHS) process, a progressive increment in the stoichiometric ratio (C:Ti) from 0.47 to 1 exposes the {111} facets at the initial stage and then the {100} facets emerge, which leads to octahedral or spherical morphology and indelible {111} facets (refer to details in Section 1, Supporting Information). [ 12 ] To exclude the formation of {111} facets from TiC crystals, a direct atomic stacking process from Ti and C atoms, which could achieve a high stoichiometry during the initial growth stage, is the key. In addition, atomic ratio of Ti and C should be manipulated readily to control the stacking rate on {100} and {111} facets, where the stacking rate on {111} facets should be √3 times the stacking rate on {100} facets to expose the {100} facets (Figures S1b,c, Supporting Information).…”

A Microarray Screening Platform with an Experimental Conditions Gradient Generator for the High-Throughput Synthesis of Micro/Nanosized Calcium Phosphates

“…For instance, Hesaraki; et al developed CaP cement with an improved injectability for application in minimally invasive bone defect repair surgery [3]. The morphology and structure of micro/nanosized biomedical materials also play a crucial role in their properties and applications [4,5]. Research has shown that a flake-like CaP coating on an alloy is beneficial for the improvement of osseointegration [6], and hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanorods can self-assemble to enamel-like structures [7] and sphere nano alginate/HAp that could promote bone mineral deposition [8].…”