Development of an Experimentally Derived Model for Molybdenum Carbide (Mo₂C) Synthesis in a Fluidized-Bed Reactor

Experiments were conducted to evaluate molybdenum carbide, Mo₂C, synthesis in a fluidized-bed reactor. Molybdenum was introduced to the reactor as a precursor formed by adsorption of molybdate ions on an activated carbon substrate. Design of experiments was accomplished through the use of commercial software, Design-Expert12^®. A matrix of seventeen experiments was developed and completed to evaluate molybdenum carbide synthesis as a function of reaction time, reaction temperature, and reactive gas composition. Conversion efficiencies were determined by characterizing the experimental products via X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The conversion model was created through the application of response surface methodology utilizing a central composite design. Confirmatory experiments were performed to validate the model.