Vanadium Carbide (VC) Nanoparticles

Vanadium carbide (VC) is one of the transitional metal carbides with a cubic crystal structure.VC nanoparticles are usually in the form of grayish powder. This material is a hard refractory ceramic material with intriguing properties. VC nanoparticles have high hardness, high melting point, high-temperature strength, high thermal conductivity, and high chemical stability even at high temperatures. The melting point of VC nanoparticles is around 2700-2800°C while their boiling point is around 3900°C. The hardness of VC nanoparticles is approximately 2950 kg/mm² and the electrical resistivity is 60 μΩ.cm. VC nanoparticles are commercially used as additives in tool bits, cutting tools, and cermets to improve wear and corrosion resistance of the materials. Additionally, the chemical stability of VC nanoparticles is utilized in catalytic applications. The catalytic properties of VC are comparable to platinum due to their similar electronic and magnetic properties. VC nanoparticles are utilized as catalysts in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER) which are essential for clean and renewable hydrogen energy production.