Study on single step solid state synthesis of WC@C nanocomposite and electrochemical stability of synthesized WC@C & Pt/WC@C for alcohol oxidation (methanol/ethanol)

• Tungsten carbide nano powder was synthesized using charcoal as carbon source.
• Formation of WC occurs through the formation of lower tungsten oxide.
• CO2/CO ratio effect the formation of WC.
• Mesoporous tungsten carbide with surface areas 522.5 m2/g obtained by using charcoal.
• Pt modified WC powder showed higher electrochemical stability.

WC@C nano composite was prepared by a single step solid–state reaction through in situ reduction and carburization of WO3 in the presence of Mg and activated charcoal. The XRD results and thermodynamics analysis showed that the optimization of reaction temperature facilitates the reduction as well as carburization of tungsten oxide(s) at different reaction temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis of the product was done to assess the thermal stability in air. The Raman spectroscopy was used to find out the nature (amorphous/graphitic) of carbon in the obtained phase. The N2 adsorption–desorption measurement showed a narrow pore size distribution from 3 to 4 nm with BET surface area of up to 522.5 m2/g. TEM/HRTEM images confirmed formation of the WC nano particles with spherical morphology. Electrochemical stability of pure and platinized carbide sample (Pt/WC) has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry in acidic media for alcohol (methanol and ethanol) oxidation.

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