Synthesis of WC nanotubes

The synthesis of inorganic tungsten carbide by a solvent and template free approach was analyzed. The low temperature thermal decomposition of W(CO) ₆ in the presence of Mg powder was carried out under its autogenic pressure in a closed Swagelok cell to fabricate nanotubes of tungsten carbide. The thermal decomposition of bare W(CO)₆ yields a mixture of WO ₂, WC, W₂C and C, exhibiting the growth tendency of any one of the products. The thermal decomposition of bare W(CO)₆ with Na and Mg yields totally different morphological and crystallographic products. To get rid of additional carbon nanotubes in order to achieve 100% WC nanotubes and also to confirm the stability of the WC nanotubes, thermogravimetric analysis of an acid-treated W-CO/Mg sample in an air atmosphere was done.