Synthesis of novel core–shell Cu@Mo nanoparticles with good sinterability

Cu@Mo composite powders with a core–shell structure were synthesized via a simple ball-milling and subsequent reduction process. Results show that the prepared particle is structurally comprised of a Cu core and a Mo shell and the particle size is about 80–100 nm. The particles show a spheroidizing trend as the rise of the reduction temperature. The size of a Cu core is about 50–70 nm and the thickness of its shell is 30 nm approximately. A typical boundary can be noted between the inner Cu core and the outer Mo shell. Efforts have been made to discuss the possible reaction pathways to explain the formation of the core–shell structure. In addition, the sinterability of prepared powders was preliminarily studied and relative density of 98.0% was achieved for the Mo–Cu sample when sintered at 1050 °C.