Synthesis of VC-C Nanocomposite for Electrochemical Applications

Carbon-coated vanadium carbide (VC-C) nanocomposite were synthesized by single-step chemical-reduction route in an autoclave at the temperature of 600^oC. In this experiment, vanadium pentode (V₂O₅) was used as precursor, magnesium as reducing agent (Mg) and acetone as carbon source. The gases produced by the decomposition of acetone generate carbon and H₂/CO₂ gases at high temperature which further creates high pressure inside the autoclave.  The processing parameters were optimized for the formation of single phase vanadium carbide (VC). The structure, morphology, and thermal stability of the obtained product were studied by XRD, TEM and TGA/DTA techniques, respectively. The N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm indicated the mesoporous structure of the VC. The electrochemical properties of the obtained C@VC were studied by the cyclic voltammetric studies.