Effect of vacuum annealing temperature and oxygen impurity content on microstructure and composition of NbC nanocrystalline powders

Key Points

• Microstructure and composition are influenced by varying oxygen impurity content during vacuum annealing.
• High-temperature vacuum annealing impacts NbC nanocrystalline powders significantly based on oxygen levels.
• Analysis reveals that oxygen impurity content correlates directly with changes in the microstructure of NbC powders.
• Implications for material design emphasize the need for controlled oxygen levels during synthesis methods.