Synthesis and structural evolution of vanadium carbide in nano scale during mechanical alloying

In this study, nano crystalline vanadium carbide was synthesized by mechanical alloying method. v_2o_5, c and mg powders were placed in a planetary ball mill and sampled after different milling times. xrd and fesem were used for characterization of synthesized powder. studies showed that crystalline v_8c_7 has been synthesized by 24 h milling and subsequently heat treatment at 800°c. it was concluded that the v_8c_7 crystallites were nano sized and the lattice parameter deviated slightly from the standard size. furthermore, milling led to increase in strain and decrease of vanadium carbide particle size.