Synthesis and characterization of tantalum carbide nanoparticles using concentrated solar energy

•TaC synthesis was obtained in a solar furnace at 1200 °C in a time of 30 min.•The heating of the Ta/O/C complex in the solar furnace at low temperature (1200 °C).•TaC exhibited near-spherical morphology and the average crystallite size using Debye– Scherrer's equation was 21 nm.•It is feasible using concentrated solar energy for the synthesis of TaC with lower CO2 emissions.•This novel synthesis of TaC at 1200 °C with a complete characterization of the material is reported for the first time.