Carbothermal synthesis of titanium nitride

Abstract

Studies of the reactivity of six TiO₂ samples (two rutiles and four anatases) and nine carbon samples towards the formation of TiN by reduction of TiO₂ with carbon in a nitrogen atmosphere at 1150°C show that the reaction is influenced by the chemical and physical properties of both the TiO₂ and the carbon. Although anatases and rutiles behave similarly, their reactivities are adversely affected by the presence of impurities such as those deliberately added as surface coatings in pigment-grade TiO₂. There is some evidence that the reactivity of the TiO₂ increases with increasing surface area. Carbons with higher ash contents appear to be more reactive. The reactivity of the carbons generally increases with increasing surface area, as measured by gas penetration methods (BET nitrogen adsorption and Blaine gas permeation).