Preparation of nanostructured titanium carbonitride particles by Mg-thermal reduction

Nanostructured titanium carbonitride (TiC_0.5N_0.5) powders were synthesized by a Mg-thermal reduction process. The evaporated liquid solution made from TiCl₄ + ¼C₂Cl₄ reacted with liquid magnesium protected with nitrogen gas. The extremely fine titanium carbonitride particles of about 50 nm were successfully produced by the reaction of Ti and C atoms released from chloride reduction with liquid magnesium and nitrogen gas. After the reduction process, the residual phases of MgCl₂ and the excess Mg were removed by mechanical vacuum conditions. To obtain the maximized stoichiometry of product, the process optimization with thermodynamic study was performed with various experimental parameters such as reaction temperatures and solution feeding rates.