On the stoichiometry of zirconium carbide

The dependencies of the enhanced thermomechanical properties of zirconium carbide (ZrC(x)) with sample purity and stoichiometry are still not understood due to discrepancies in the literature. Multiple researchers have recently reported a linear relation between the carbon to zirconium atomic ratio (C/Zr) and the lattice parameter, in contrast with a more established relationship that suggests that the lattice parameter value attains a maximum value at a C/Zr ~ 0.83. In this study, the relationship between C/Zr atomic ratio and the lattice parameter is critically assessed: it is found that recent studies reporting the thermophysical properties of ZrC(x) have unintentionally produced and characterised samples containing zirconium oxycarbide. To avoid such erroneous characterization of ZrC(x) thermophysical properties in the future, we propose a method for the accurate measurement of the stoichiometry of ZrC(x) using three independent experimental techniques, namely: elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Although a large scatter in the results (ΔC/Zr = 0.07) from these different techniques was found when used independently, when combining the techniques together consistent values of x in ZrC(x) were obtained.