Activated carbon supported bimetallic CoMo carbides synthesized by carbothermal hydrogen reduction

A carbothermal hydrogen reduction method was employed for the preparation of activated carbon supported bimetallic carbide. The resultant samples were characterized by BET surface area measurement, X-ray diffraction, and temperature-programmed reduction–mass spectroscopy. The results showed that nanostructured β-Mo2C can be formed on the activated carbon by carbothermal hydrogen reduction above 700 °C. The particle sizes of β-Mo2C increase with increasing reaction temperatures and Mo loading. The bimetallic CoMo carbide can be synthesized by the carbothermal hydrogen reduction even around 600 °C. The bimetallic CoMo carbide is from carbothermal hydrogen reduction of CoMoO4 precursor and is easily formed when the Co/Mo molar ratio is 1.0. Separation of the bimetallic CoMo carbide phase into Mo carbide and Co metal occurs when the temperature of the reduction is above 700 °C. The addition of a second metal such as Co and Ni, decreases the formation temperature of carbide because the second metal promotes formation of CHx species from reactive carbon atoms or groups on carbon material and hydrogen, which further carburizes oxide precursors.