Solid state metathesis: synthesis of metal carbides from metal oxides

Bulk reactions of transition metal oxides (V2O3, NaVO3, Nb2O5, LiNbO3, Ta2O5, LiTaO3, MoO3, Li2MoO4 and Li2WO4) with calcium and strontium carbides at 1000 °C for 12 h produce a range of transition metal carbides (V8C7, NbC, TaC, Mo2C and WC) in good yields (ca. 90%). The carbides were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis by X-rays (EDAX), electron probe, FTIR, microelemental analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction.