A simple route for organic covalent grafting onto zirconium carbide particles

Starting from core–shell zirconium carbide powders, a covalent grafting was described, using a direct nucleophilic substitution in diethyl ether. Thus, two different organic molecules were attached onto the surface of the ceramic, through Sisingle bondOsingle bondZr and Csingle bondOsingle bondZr bonds. The materials were characterized by means of TEM and XPS characterizations. These new systems could represent an original route to elaborate zirconium carbide-based hybrid materials.