Investigation of Nano-Molybdenum Carbide Particle Produced by Wire-Explosion Process

Abstract

Molybdenum carbide (MoC) nanoparticles were generated by exploding molybdenum conductor in methane gas ambience at different pressures. To enhance the level of carburization, exploding conductor was coated with graphite and paraffin mixtures. Various physico-chemical studies were employed to characterize the produced nano-carbide particles, viz., X-ray diffraction, optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. It was deduced from these investigations that the nano-MoC particles produced by a wire explosion process (WEP) are spherical in shape. The size of the particles formed by WEP can be controlled by varying the operating ambience pressure of the methane gas. The particle size produced follows a lognormal distribution. Optical emission results clearly indicates the presence of Mo-I, C-I, and C-II components during WEP. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the formation of MoC. Index Terms-Log-normal distribution, nano-molybdenum carbide (MoC), optical emission spectroscopy (OES), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), wire-explosion process (WEP), X-ray diffractogram (XRD).Ramanujam Sarathi is currently a Full Professor and the Head of High Voltage Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai, India. His current research interests include nanomaterials and nanocomposites.

Synthesis of molybdenum carbide nanoparticles using pulsed wire discharge in mixed atmosphere of kerosene and argon

“…Based on evaluation of molybdenum and its compounds, researchers have determined how to synthesize these compounds. In 2015, molybdenum carbide was produced by Sarathi et al using a wire explosion process with a graphite and paraffin mixture of different ratios in methane . From experiments of exploding molybdenum wire in a methane medium at different pressures, MoC, Mo 2 C, and Mo were produced, as evidenced by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurement.…”

“…In 2015, molybdenum carbide was produced by Sarathi et al using a wire explosion process with a graphite and paraffin mixture of different ratios in methane. 21 From experiments of exploding molybdenum wire in a methane medium at different pressures, MoC, Mo 2 C, and Mo were produced, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement. In subsequent experiments with molybdenum wire coated by graphite and a paraffin in methane medium, nanoparticles of MoC were formed and analyzed.…”