Work

Ta–Zr carbides: Synthesis advances via carbothermal reduction and defect evolution observed through transmission electron microscopy ion irradiation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The thermodynamic stability of six distinct compositions within the Zr—Ta—C ternary system is investigated in this study, marking the first report of their synthesis through carbothermic reduction in vacuum. A prolonged annealing process at 2200°C enabled high densification and phase equilibrium. Detailed phase identification and microstructural characterization through microscopy and X‐ray diffraction techniques revealed clear compositional trends and stable phase formations. Two compositions ((Ta 0.2 Zr 0.8 )C 0.6 and (Ta 0.5 Zr 0.5 )C 1 ) were selected for ion irradiation experiments using 200 keV Kr + at 600°C—representing the first‐ever irradiation study on the Zr—Ta—C system. The findings indicated defect accumulation and nanoscale cavity formation without any evidence of amorphization, highlighting the system's structural stability under irradiation. Together, the synthesis and irradiation results provide a basis for further investigation of the system and suggest its relevance for applications under extreme environments.

Source: Journal of the American Ceramic Society

DOI: 10.1111/jace.70417

Authors: Maria Kosmidou, Wei‐Ying Chen, Erofili Kardoulaki, Najeb M. Abdul‐Jabbar

Institutions: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Advanced ceramic materials synthesis

Subfield: Ceramics and Composites

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,070

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration