ThC2

ThC2, also known as Thorium Dicarbide, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula ThC2. It is a binary compound composed of thorium and carbon. ThC2 is a refractory material, meaning it has a very high melting point and can withstand extreme temperatures. It exists in several crystallographic forms, including face-centered cubic (FCC) and tetragonal phases, depending on temperature and pressure.

Thorium dicarbide is typically produced by the reaction of thorium dioxide (ThO2) with carbon at high temperatures, often in a vacuum or inert atmosphere to prevent oxidation. It is a dense, black or gray solid with a metallic luster. Due to its high melting point and stability, ThC2 has been investigated for various applications, particularly in nuclear technology. It has been considered as a potential fuel material for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors due to its good thermal conductivity and ability to retain fission products. However, its use is limited by factors such as the radioactivity of thorium and the challenges associated with reprocessing.

ThC2 can react with oxygen to form thorium oxides and carbon oxides, and with water to produce hydrocarbons and thorium hydroxide. Its chemical reactivity is generally low at room temperature but increases with temperature. Research into ThC2 continues, focusing on understanding its physical and chemical properties for potential advanced material applications, although large-scale industrial use remains limited.

---