The template effect of carbon source precursors on ZrC synthesis at low temperatures were investigated by carbothermal reduction of ZrCl4 using metallic sodium. The polymerization of naphthalene or toluene in the presence of ZrCl4 was directed to formation of two ZrC products including nanorods and nanoparticles. The polymerization behavior of naphthalene or toluene had template effects on ZrC shaping. The ZrC nanorods/nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray and SEM. The results showed that ZrCl4 in both condition was completely transformed to ZrC, after heat treatment in argon at temperatures above 600 degrees C. The SEM study revealed that the nucleation and growth of ZrC nanorods/nanoparticles occurred on the surface of derived polymer from naphthalene/toluene. There was no carbon residue from naphthalene/toluene in the products. The obtained ZrC particles exhibited face-centered cubic lattice structure and narrow size distributions. (C) 2016 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.