Microstructure of nanocrystalline nonstoichiometric vanadium carbide VC$_{0.875}$

A nanocrystalline powder of nonstoichiometric vanadium carbide VC$_{0.875}$ has been prepared by the high-energy ball milling method. The crystal structure, microstructure, morphology, and size distribution of particles of the initial and milled powders have been investigated using X-ray diffraction, laser diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. For vanadium carbide, the model calculation of the particle size of a VC$_{0.875}$ nanopowder as a function of the milling duration has been performed for the first time. A comparison of the experimental and theoretical results has demonstrated that a nanopowder with an average particle size of 40–80 nm can be obtained by a 10-h high-energy ball milling of the initial vanadium carbide powder with an average particle size of $\sim$6 $\mu$m.