Preparation of molybdenum carbides with multiple morphologies using surfactants as carbon sources

Molybdenum carbides with surfactants as carbon sources were prepared using the carbothermal reduction of the appropriate precursors (molybdenum oxides deposited on surfactant micelles) at 1023 K under hydrogen gas. The carburized products were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and BET surface area measurements. From the SEM images, hollow microspherical and rod-like molybdenum carbides were observed. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the annealing time of carburization had a large effect on the conversion of molybdenum oxides to molybdenum carbides. And BET surface area measurements indicated that the difference of carbon sources brought a big difference in specific surface areas of molybdenum carbides.

Graphical abstractMolybdenum carbides having hollow microspherical and hollow rod-like morphologies that are different from the conventional monodipersed platelet-like morphologies.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Molybdenum carbides were prepared using surfactants as carbon sources. ► The kinds of surfactants affected the morphologies of molybdenum carbides. ► The time of heat preservation at 1023 K affected the carburization process. ► Molybdenum carbides with hollow structures had larger specific surface areas.