| abstract |
A process for producing nanoparticles of at least one transition metal oxide selected from amorphous carbon-coated Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb and Ta, the process comprising the following successive steps: (i) a liquid mixture containing as precursors of at least one transition metal alkoxide, an alcohol, excess acetic acid with respect to the transition metal is prepared and then diluted in water to form an aqueous solution, the precursors being present in the aqueous solution in a molar ratio such that it prevents or sufficiently limits the formation of a sol so that the aqueous solution is freeze-dried and such that the transition metal, carbon and oxygen are present in the stoichiometric ratio in which they nanoparticles, (ii) the aqueous solution is lyophilized, (iii) the lyophilizate obtained in the preceding step is pyrolyzed under vacuum or under an inert atmosphere to The invention also relates to the application of the process to the manufacture of transition metal carbide. |