Reactions between SiC and Pd or CeO2 at High Temperatures

Mixtures of SiC and Pd or CeO₂ were heated in air and in vacuum, and the reaction products were determined by powder X-ray diffractometry. High temperature X-ray diffractometry was also conducted to analyze the reaction. The reaction between SiC and Pd began at about 1,000°C, and the products were found to be Pd₂Si and Pd₃Si. A mixture of SiC and CeO₂ produced no detectable amount of product when heated in air up to 1,500°C, but when heated in vacuum, reaction began above 1,100°C, which generated different products depending on the conditions. Two unknown phases appeared during the heating. These phases were considered to be Ce₄(SiO₄)₃ and cubic CeC₂, the latter compound being formed by the reaction between the carbon in SiC and CeSi₂ melt.