Formation of Active Carbon in Twin‐Crucible Studies of Vanadium Carbonitride Solutions

Twin-crucible experiments with vanadium carbonitride solutions in equilibrium with carbon and nitrogen gas gave evidence for the formation of carbon in a state more energetic than graphite. These studies show that the V(C, N) lattice parameter depends on whether the starting material was vanadium carbide or a mixture of vanadium nitride and graphite. The postulate that a high-energy form of carbon may result from any decomposition or reaction leading to free carbon is discussed relative to metal carbide evaporation and to the decomposition of uranium dicarbide to the sesquicarbide and carbon.