Phase equilibria, phases and compounds in the V–C system

The review summarises the results of experimental and theoretical investigations dealing with phase equilibria and the synthesis and prediction of new compounds and phases in the vanadium–carbon system. The generalised thermodynamic characteristics of disordered cubic vanadium monocarbide VC_y and lower hexagonal vanadium subcarbide V₂C_y', which are the most important compounds in the V–C system, are surveyed. The crystal structures of all known and possible compounds formed by vanadium and carbon, including the V₈C₁₂ molecular cluster, are discussed in detail. The phase diagrams for the V–C system taking into account ordering of nonstoichiometric vanadium carbide VC_y are considered.