Microwave-assisted synthesis of Mo–Cu nano-powders at an ultra-low temperature and their sintering properties

Abstract

Mo–Cu nano-particles were synthesized by a microwave-assisted aqueous solution strategy and subsequent low-temperature hydrogen reduction process. Microwave radiation can promote nucleation in the aqueous solution resulting in fine particles with a high specific surface area, so they can be reduced at an ultra-low temperature. The prepared Mo–Cu composite powders with size ranging from 10 to 50 nm possess a Mo@Cu core–shell structure in their grains, whose relative density can reach up to 99.4% after being sintered at 1150 C for 1.5 h.