Efficient preparation and oxidation kinetics of Ti3AlC2 powder via coconut shell charcoal as carbon source

Ti 3 AlC 2 powder was prepared via an efficient solid-liquid reaction in flowing argon using coconut shell charcoal as novel carbon source, and phase evolution, microstructure and oxidation behavior of Ti 3 AlC 2 powder were investigated. The results show that coconut shell charcoal is dominated by amorphous carbon after carbonization with some turbostratic graphite-like structure, and large specific surface area of coconut shell charcoal gives its excellent reactivity. Ti 3 AlC 2 powder prepared at 1400 °C for 1.5 h exhibits good crystallinity and typical nanolayered structure. Ti 3 AlC 2 powder remains thermally stable in air below 552 °C, while oxidizing occurs rapidly between 900 and 1100 °C. The isothermal oxidation curves show a parabolic-like, indicating that the oxidation process is primarily controlled by a diffusion mechanism. The good oxidation resistance of Ti 3 AlC 2 powder is attributed to the oxidized products of TiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 grains formed a connected and dense protective layer on the particle surface at elevated temperatures.