High Surface Area Mo2C and WC Prepared by Alkalide Reduction

α-Mo2C (orthorhombic) and α-WC (hexagonal) nanoparticles have been synthesized by subambient alkalide reduction. The initial products appear to be either amorphous or sub-nanocrystalline. Annealing above 575 and 1100 °C respectively resulted in X-ray crystalline material. The α-Mo2C nanoparticles were found to have an average particle diameter of 3.1 nm by TEM with a narrow, log-normal distribution. Surface areas of as high as 229 m2/g were observed by the BET method. The α-WC nanoparticles were found to have a much broader size distribution with particles ranging from ∼3 to 50 nm. Surface areas were found to be as high as 140 m2/g.