Preparation and characterization of Mo-Cu nanocomposite powders by chemical liquid reduction process

Abstract

A novel chemical liquid reduction process was employed to prepare nanosized Mo-Cu powders. The precipitates were first obtained by adding ammonium heptamolybdate ((NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄·4H₂O) solution into excess hydrazine hydrate solution, and then mixed the copper chloride solution. The precipitates were subsequently washed, dried, followed by reducing in H₂ atmosphere to convert into Mo-Cu composite powders. The composition, morphology and particle size of the Mo-Cu composite powders were characterized by the XRD, SEM and TEM. The effects of the chemical reaction temperature and the magnetic stirring on the morphology of the Mo-Cu powders were also studied. The results show that Mo-Cu powders produced by the chemical liquid reduction process are nearly spherical shape and dispersive distribution state, with particle size ranging from 50 to 100 nm. The chemical reaction temperature and magnetic stirring will change the particle feature of the powders. Because of the Cu₃Mo₂O₉, the reduction process in H₂ is the one-stage reduction from the precipitates to the Mo-Cu composite powders.