Herein, we present the low-temperature solid-phase combustion synthesis of tantalum carbide (TaC), TaC/tantalum silicide (TaSi2), and TaC/tantalum boride (TaB) nanoparticles by the silicothermic reduction of potassium fluorotantalate (K2TaF7) in the presence of carbon, boron, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE1, (C2F4)(n)). The temperature-time profiles of the combustion wave were measured by thermocouples and used to calculate the combustion parameters: temperature and wave velocity. The flame temperature was found to increase with the concentration of PTFE. Using high resolution transmission electron microscopy, a homogeneous distribution of highly crystalline nanoparticles was observed. The thermal-kinetic activation energy, the heat released during each of the individual reactions, and the chemical mechanism of the overall combustion process are discussed with respect to the final products. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.