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

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 log-normal 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.