Shilpa Vats, Ragini Sharma and
Abstract
In binary carbides, one of the constituent elements is carbon whereas other one is a much less electronegative element. These compounds show several unique properties. They are extensively used for numerous industrial applications. Hence, several routes of synthesis have been developed to synthesise a range of carbides. Normally, heat treatment is required to synthesise carbides. In recent years, microwaves as a heating aid, have extensively been used in laboratories for chemical synthesis. Microwave assisted synthesis of materials is much less time consuming than the conventional heating method. A range of carbides have been synthesised using microwave heating as carbon couples with microwaves. The generation of heat in carbon, when exposed to microwaves, is explained through conduction mechanism. Microwave assisted synthesis of carbides is fast, simple, cost-effective and environmentally friendly.