Preparation and characterization of molybdenum carbides/carbon composites with high specific surface area

Molybdenum carbides/carbon composites (MCCs) with high specific surface area were prepared using the direct carbonization of a mixture of hydroxylpropyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, K2MoO4 and K2CO3 at 900 degrees C in flowing Ar. X-ray diffraction pattern showed the formation of alpha-Mo2C with small amount of Mo3C2 in carbon matrix. The particle size of carbides in MCCs varied from ca. 50 nm to 5 mu m by changing the precursor ratio. The BET specific surface areas of the synthesized MCCs could be controlled from 400 to 1200 m(2)/g depending on the amount of K2CO3 added during the preparation by increasing the microporosity. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.