In-situ synthesis of zirconium oxycarbide by electroreduction of ZrO2/C in molten salt

Homogenous ZrCxOy powders have been successfully synthesized by in-situ electro-reduction of solid ZrO2–C composite precursors in molten CaCl2. The effect applied cell voltage and molar ratio ZrO2 to C on preparation were investigated. reduction pathway the electrode was studied based analysis intermediate products using X-ray diffraction (XRD) scanning electron microscopy (SEM). results show that is firstly converted CaZrO3. resulting CaZrO3 then reduced ZrCxOy. formation dramatically influenced electrolysis C: a higher lower are more preferable for powder. with particle size ~100 nm ZrO2/C starting elemental CaCl2 salt at 1123 K than 3 h, when 3.0 V carbon materials 1:1.0.