Synthesis and characterization of WC—VC—Co nanocomposite powders through thermal-processing of a core—shell precursor

WC—VC—Co nanocomposite powders were synthesized through simultaneous reduction and carburization of a novel precursor in vacuum at 950 °C for 1 h. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The precursor consisted of nanoparticles (from 10 nm to 30 nm in diameter) with a carbon-coated core—shell structure. The as-prepared composite powders comprised spherical particles with size in the range of 40—60 nm. The effects of experimental parameters and reaction mechanism were explored. The low-temperature synthesis and short reaction time were attributed to the homogeneous chemical composition of the precursor.