Phenolic resin as a carbon source for the synthesis of monometallic Mo and bimetallic CoMo carbides via carbothermal reduction route

It was the first time that phenolic resin (PR) was used as a carbon source for the synthesis of nanostructured monometallic Mo and bimetallic CoMo carbides via carbothermal reduction route. The results showed that phase-pure β-Mo2C can be formed under an Ar atmosphere at 900°C or a H2 atmosphere above 700°C. However, almost pure CoMo carbides (Co3Mo3C and Co6Mo6C) can be obtained only under a H2 atmosphere at a low temperature of 630°C for 24 and 48 h, respectively. The role of PR in the preparation process has been investigated and a detailed formation mechanism was proposed based on the experimental results.