Mo Ratio Research Articles

Plasmonic-induced overgrowth of amorphous molybdenum sulfide on nanoporous gold: An ambient synthesis method of hybrid nanoparticles with enhanced electrocatalytic activity.

Hybrid materials of earth abundant transition metal dichalcogenides and noble metal nanoparticles, such as molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) and gold nanoparticles, exhibit synergistic effects that can enhance electrocatalytic reactions. However, most current hybrid MoSx-gold synthesis requires an energy intensive heat source of >500 °C or chemical plating to achieve deposition of MoSx on the gold surface. Herein, we demonstrate the direct overgrowth of MoSx over colloidal nanoporous gold (NPG), conducted feasibly under ambient conditions, to form hybrid particles with enhanced electrocatalytic performance toward hydrogen evolution reaction. Our strategy exploits the localized surface plasmon resonance-mediated photothermal heating of NPG to achieve >230 °C surface temperature, which induces the decomposition of the (NH4)2MoS4 precursor and direct overgrowth of MoSx over NPG. By tuning the concentration ratio between the precursor and NPG, the amount of MoSx particles deposited can be systematically controlled from 0.5% to 2% of the Mo/(Au + Mo) ratio. Importantly, we find that the hybrid particles exhibit higher bridging and an apical S to terminal S atomic ratio than pure molybdenum sulfide, which gives rise to their enhanced electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction. We demonstrate that hybrid MoSx-NPG exhibits >30 mV lower onset potential and a 1.7-fold lower Tafel slope as compared to pure MoSx. Our methodology provides an energy- and cost-efficient synthesis pathway, which can be extended to the synthesis of various functional hybrid structures with unique properties for catalysis and sensing applications.

Risk Assessment of Copper and Molybdenum and Other Minerals in Feed Ingredients and Finished Feeds

This is a risk assessment for six mineral contaminants and four essential minerals. A total of 1,466 samples were collected from 18 product categories during 2010 to 2018. The 18 product categories were divided into 11 finished feed (689 samples) categories and seven feed ingredient categories (777 samples). Mineral and vitamin/minerals mixes (565 samples) were the predominant products in the seven feed ingredient categories, and beef cattle feed (351 samples) was the predominant product in the 11 finished feed categories. Samples from the 18 product categories were analyzed for up to 10 minerals: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), molybdenum (Mo), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and thallium (Tl). Cr, Cu, Mo, and Se are essential nutrients, and the other six are contaminants. The ratios of mean concentrations of the 6 inorganic contaminants across the 11 finished feeds were low compared to the seven feed ingedients categories. This implies that the risk of toxicity from the potential carryover of the six contaminants from feed ingredients to finished feeds is low. The mean Cu concentrations were high and the mean Mo concentrations were low in the four finished feed categories for ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats). The ideal copper:molybdenum (Cu:Mo) ratio is >6:1 and <10:1 in the four finished feed categories for ruminants. The calculated Cu:Mo ratio of 26:1 shows a nutritional imbalance between Cu and Mo that may cause Cu toxicosis with long-term exposure.https://doi.org/10.21423/jrs-v07post

Microstructures and Oxidation Behavior According to Nb:Mo Ratio in a Nb–Mo–Si System with Si Pack Cementation Coatings

Research is being conducted on Mo- and Nb-based alloys that are used in the aerospace sector, including those used for advanced gas turbines and aircraft engines. There is a limit to using Mo, which has a high density among refractory metals, and a few studies exist describing the addition of Nb to Mo–silicide alloys. There is a lack of guidance research on the basic Nb:Mo ratio of alloys, and it is necessary to study how to improve oxidation resistance. Therefore, this study aims to improve oxidation resistance by controlling the ratio of Nb and Mo in (Nbx, Moy)Si2 coating layers with Si pack cementation coatings on Nb–Mo alloys. Static oxidation tests were carried out at 1200 °C for 6 h to confirm the oxidation characteristics. As a result, a SiO2 or SiO2 + Nb2O5 ceramic protective layer was formed on the surface. After the oxidation tests, alloys with a Nb content of less than 35 at.% were found to protect the surface. The ratios of Nb and Mo in the Nb–Mo alloy and silicide coating layer were compared, and the improvement of oxidation resistance is discussed in terms of microstructural evolution.

Negative influence of biofilm on CoCrMo corrosion.

Minimal studies exist investigating biofilm-induced corrosion of orthopaedic implants. This study investigates potential contributions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms on corrosion resistance of CoCrMo under static and fretting conditions. Biofilms were cultured on CoCrMo coupons for either 4 weeks (static culture) or 6 days (fretting culture; pin-on-disk with a Ti6Al4V hemispherical tip pin). Morphology of biofilms and corrosion of coupon surfaces were analyzed via SEM. Open circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were collected for corrosion performance evaluation. Results showed no visible corrosion on coupon surfaces in static culture, which suggests these biofilms alone do not induce severe corrosion under the conditions of this study. However, electrochemical data showed biofilm presence lowered coupon electrochemical impedance in static and fretting cultures, suggesting resistive and capacitive characteristics of the metal oxide-biofilm-media interface were altered. Under fretting, the P. aeruginosa group exhibited a distinct damage morphology and Co:Cr:Mo ratio within the wear scar when compared with S. aureus and the bacteria-free control. These differences suggest the presence of P. aeruginosa biofilms may negatively impact corrosion resistance at the fretting interface. Taken together these results demonstrate biofilms can contribute to implant corrosion by influencing the electrochemical impedance of implant metal surfaces.

XPS of cold pressed multilayered and freestanding delaminated 2D thin films of Mo2TiC2Tz and Mo2Ti2C3Tz (MXenes)

MXenes, transition metal carbides and/or nitrides, that are synthesized from the top down by etching of their 3D parent layered solids, the MAX phases, are the latest family of the two-dimensional solids discovered. When the A layers – mostly Al – are etched they are replaced by surface terminations, Tz mainly comprised of O-, OH- and F-terminations. One of the few techniques capable of quantifying these surface terminations is X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS. Herein, we undertook an XPS study of the out-of-plane ordered MXenes, Mo2TiC2Tz and Mo2Ti2C3Tz, in both multilayered, ML, cold pressed and delaminated thin film forms. The harsh conditions needed to etch these MAX phases into MLs, results in their partial oxidation. The hydroxide used to delaminate the MLs results in further oxidation and a reduction in the F-content. In all cases, etching resulted in a decrease in the Ti to Mo ratio implying that the former atoms are selectively etched. In all but the ML Mo2TiC2Tz case, the Mo to C ratio was also reduced. It follows that the loss of Ti also results in the loss of C atoms. Again with the exception of the ML Mo2Ti2C3Tz case, the number of termination moles per formula unit, z, was >2, which is energetically unfavorable and thus unlikely. However, if one assumes that not all of the O signal is coming from terminations but rather from O atoms that replace C atoms in the MX blocks, then z ≈ 2. This work is an important step in quantifying and understanding the effects of etching on terminations and structure in these Mo and Ti-based MXenes.

Self-Assembled Monolayers of Molybdenum Sulfide Clusters on Au Electrode as Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst for Solar Water Splitting

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activities of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of [Mo3S7(S2CNMe2)3] and several other MoSx molecular clusters are presented on planer Au electrode. Our study suggests that such Mo-S clusters are unstable under HER reaction conditions of a strongly acidic electrolyte. The [Mo3S7(S2CNEt2)3]I monolayer prepared from DMF showed greater stability among all the studied precursors. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis on a monolayer of [Mo3S7(S2CNMe2)3]I in THF assembled on Au/ITO suggested sulfur-rich composition with S:Mo ratio of 2.278. The Mo-S monolayer clusters resulting from [Mo3S7(S2CNMe2)3]I in THF showed a Tafel slope of 75.74 mV dec−1 and required a lower overpotential of 410 mV to reach a high HER catalytic current density of 100 mA cm−2 compared to the other studied precursors. Surface coverage of the Mo-S clusters on the Au surface was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves from K3Fe(CN)6 and anodization of Au surface. Further, the rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) measurements were performed for the monolayer of [Mo3S7(S2CNMe2)3]I prepared in THF to study its reaction kinetics. The HER catalytic activity of such monolayer Mo-S clusters can further be improved by controlling the sulfur vacancy.

Effect of Metal Loading in Unpromoted and Promoted CoMo/Al2O3–TiO2 Catalysts for the Hydrodeoxygenation of Phenol

This paper reports the effects of changes in the supported active phase concentration over titania containing mixed oxides catalysts for hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). Mo and CoMo supported on sol–gel Al2O3–TiO2 (Al/Ti = 2) were synthetized and tested for the HDO of phenol in a batch reactor at 5.5 MPa, 593 K, and 100 ppm S. Characterization results showed that the increase in Mo loading led to an increase in the amount of oxide Mo species with octahedral coordination (MoOh), which produced more active sites and augmented the catalytic activity. The study of the change of Co concentration allowed prototypes of the oxide species and their relationship with the CoMo/AT2 activity to be described. Catalysts were tested at four different Co/(Co + Mo) ratios. The results presented a correlation between the available fraction of CoOh and the catalytic performance. At low CoOh fractions (Co/(Co + Mo) = 0.1), Co could not promote all MoS2 slabs and metallic sites from this latter phase performed the reaction. Also, at high Co/(Co + Mo) ratios (0.3 and 0.4), there was a loss of Co species. The Co/(Co + Mo) = 0.2 ratio presented an optimum amount of available CoOh and catalytic activity since the XPS results indicated a higher concentration of the CoMoS phase than at a higher ratio.

Facile solid-state synthesis for producing molybdenum and tungsten co-doped monoclinic BiVO4 as the photocatalyst for photoelectrochemical water oxidation

BiVO4 has been widely applied as photocatalysts for water oxidation, owing to preferable band configuration and small band gap for absorbing wide range of light. Synthesizing BiVO4 is usually based on wet routes, which are more complex and require extra steps for separating photocatalysts from solutions. A novel solid-state synthesis is firstly proposed in this study to efficiently synthesize BiVO4 by simply mixing bismuth and vanadium salts without other mediums and directly annealing the mixture at 450°C. Heteroatom-doping of BiVO4 is also achieved by annealing the mixture of W and Mo salts along with bismuth and vanadium precursors to increase the carrier concentration and accelerating the charge transfer. The W and Mo co-doped BiVO4 electrode with the W:Mo ratio of 1:1 shows the highest photocurrent density of 0.21 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode and the smallest onset potential of 0.686 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode under air mass 1.5 solar illumination. This study successfully realizes the efficient fabrication of BiVO4 and the incorporation of W and Mo dopants using the solid-state synthesis. Applying this manner cannot only reduce the synthesis time but also provide more precise control of the element composition. Further developments of the co-catalyst/photocatalyst system are expected to be realized by applying this novel solid-state synthesis.

Safety and efficacy of a molybdenum compound (E7) sodium molybdate dihydrate as feed additive for sheep based on a dossier submitted by Trouw Nutrition International B.V.

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on safety and efficacy of sodium molybdate dihydrate for sheep, based on a dossier submitted for the re‐evaluation of the additive. The additive is currently authorised in the EU for all animal species as ‘Nutritional additive’ – ‘Compounds of trace elements’. Taking the optimal Cu:Mo ratio of 3–10, and the highest total copper level authorised in complete feeds for sheep (15 mg/kg), the FEEDAP Panel concluded that 2.5 mg total Mo/kg complete feed is safe for sheep. Considering (i) a safe intake of 0.6 mg Mo/day, (ii) the estimate average intake figure from food in Europe (generally less than 100 μg/day), (iii) the contribution of foods of animal origin to the total molybdenum intake (estimated to be up to 22 %), and (iv) that molybdenum would not accumulate in edible tissues/products of sheep fed molybdenum supplemented diets up to the upper safe level, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of sodium molybdate as a additive in sheep at 2.5 mg total Mo/kg complete feed is safe for consumers. The additive under assessment feed poses no risk by inhalation to users; it is a skin and eye irritant, but it is not considered as a skin sensitiser. Sodium molybdate used up to 2.5 mg Mo/kg complete sheep feed poses no concerns for the safety for the environment. The FEEDAP Panel recognises that molybdenum does not need to be added to diets to cover the nutritional needs of molybdenum of sheep. Molybdenum supplementation in sheep feed is considered effective in order to guarantee an adequate balance with copper, when the Cu:Mo ratio in the diet is in the range 3–10.

Controllable Synthesis of Nanosized Amorphous MoSx Using Temporally Shaped Femtosecond Laser for Highly Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Production

AbstractAmorphous molybdenum sulfide (a‐MoSx) is regarded as a promising electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its disorder structures with a significant number of defect‐rich active sites. Here, a green, one‐step, and controllable method is developed to photoregulate the chemical reactions and synthesize nanosized a‐MoSx by temporally shaped femtosecond laser ablation of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate aqueous solution. By adjusting the laser energy and pulse delay to control photoinduced and/or photothermal‐induced reduction/oxidation, the S to Mo ratio x can be modulated from 1.53 to 3.07 and the ratio of the MoV defect species, bridging S22−, and terminal S22− ligands can be controlled. The optimized a‐MoSx catalysts (x = 2.73) exhibit high catalytic activity with a low Tafel slope of 40 mV dec−1, high double‐layer capacitance of 74.47 mF cm−2, and large current density of 516 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 250 mV. The high catalytic activity can be mainly attributed to MoV defect species and bridging S22− ligands, or most likely dominated by the MoV defect species. This study not only provides an alternatively controllable method to prepare a‐MoSx as efficient HER catalysts but also contributes to the understanding of the origin of its catalytic activity.

Three inter-linked active sites in the dehydrogenation of n-octane over magnesium molybdate based catalysts and their influences on coking and cracking side reactions

Dehydrogenation of paraffins is an industrially practiced technique for the production of value added olefins. Molybdenum based catalysts are known for this application. This study focuses on the application of magnesium molybdate based catalysts with different Mg:Mo ratios for the dehydrogenation of n-octane. Several characterisation techniques were utilised to investigate the physicochemical properties of the bulk as well as the surfaces of the fresh and used catalysts. Three active sites with different functionalities were identified for these materials in the chosen catalytic reaction. Reduced molybdenum oxide (Mo4+ and Mo5+) sites were responsible for dehydrogenation, whereas MgO (involved in the MgMoO4 lattice or as the MgO phase) modified the density of basic sites that strongly controlled the adsorption of n-octane. Finally, acidic sites (likely from molybdenum oxides) promoted cracking and played an indirect role in increasing coke deposition over these materials. A mechanism that involves the simultaneous operation of these three active sites is proposed. The ratio between MgMoO4 and MoO3 was found to strongly influence the redox transition and thermal stability of these phases. The discussed science in this study can be used as a tool for preparation of advanced molybdenum based catalysts for different catalytic applications.

Stable Sulfur‐Intercalated 1T′ MoS2 on Graphitic Nanoribbons as Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalyst

AbstractThe metastable 1T′ polymorph of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has shown excellent catalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water‐splitting applications. Its basal plane exhibits high catalytic activity comparable to the edges in 2H MoS2 and noble metal platinum. However, the production and application of this polymorph are limited by its lower energetic stability compared to the semiconducting 2H MoS2 phase. Here, the production of stable intercalated 1T′ MoS2 nanosheets attached on graphitic nanoribbons is reported. The intercalated 1T′ MoS2 exhibits a stoichiometric S:Mo ratio of 2.3 (±0.1):1 with an expanded interlayer distance of 10 Å caused by a sulfur‐rich intercalation agent and is stable at room temperature for several months even after drying. The composition, structure, and catalytic activity toward HER are investigated both experimentally and theoretically. It is concluded that the 1T′ MoS2 phase is stabilized by the intercalated agents, which further improves the basal planes′ catalytic activity toward HER.

Sulfur-Rich MoS6 as an Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

In this work, we studied a sulfur-rich molybdenum sulfide (MoS6) hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyst prepared by chemical oxidation of thiodimolybdate (Mo2S122–). Using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and other techniques, we found that the material had an overall S:Mo ratio of 6:1 and is likely an amorphous coordination polymer of molybdenum–sulfur (Mo3-like) clusters with the additional sulfur existing as bridging or terminal disulfide moieties. Used as a HER catalyst, MoS6 has an HER overpotential of 130 mV at 10 mA/cm2, compared to 178 mV for MoS4 samples made from tetrathiomolybdate (MoS42–). Electrochemical surface area measurements show that the improved performance of MoS6 over MoS4 was not due to the sulfur-rich material having a higher surface area. Instead, we ascribe the performance of the sulfur-rich MoS6 catalyst to the presence of additional disulfide active sites compared to other amorphous MoSx catalysts. This study highlights the possibility of using different...

Geographical and Botanical Variation in Concentrations of Molybdenum in Natural Pasture Plants and Surface Water and Yak Molybdenum Ingestion in North Tibet, China

Abstract: The North Tibet plateau is the world highest plateau with a unique alpine grassland and water environment. To obtain a better understanding of the correct supply of Molybdenum (Mo) to livestock in north Tibet, we investigated the content and geographical variation of Mo in different families of pasture plants (n=1017) and water (n=40), then discuss the Cuprum (Cu):Mo ratio in different plant families, and calculate the total Mo intake of the yak in north Tibet. The average Mo concentration in five families preferred for grazing are: Compositae (2.71 μg g-1), Leguminosae (2.70 μg g-1), Gramineae (2.48 μg g-1), Cyperaceae (1.63 μg g-1), and Rosaceae (1.51 μg g-1). There was a strong geographical variation in Mo concentration (p < 0.001). The mean value of Mo in north Tibet surface water from 15 sites is 0.89 μg L-1. The Mo ingestion by yak through these plants and water in north Tibet is about 9586 μg day-1 which means the toxicity of Mo does not exist in the average daily diet. However, the large...

Effect of sulfiding conditions on the hydrodesulfurization performance of the ex-situ presulfided CoMoS/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

The influence of sulfiding conditions in the ex-situ presulfidation process on the morphology and performances of CoMoS/γ-Al2O3 catalysts was studied in details for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene. Surface and bulk characterization using XRD, HRTEM, XPS, TPR and FT-IR confirmed that the sulfiding agent mixture of (NH4)2S and elemental S effectively react with the supported Mo oxide to form intermediate thiosalts from mononuclear ammonium thiomolybdates to polynuclear ammonium thiomolybdates, namely the formed thiosalts from (NH4)2MoS4 to (NH4)2Mo2S12 and (NH4)2Mo3S13,which weaken the strong interaction between the γ-Al2O3 support and Mo oxide, resulting in maximum sulfidation of Mo oxide species. Mo species tend to agglomerate as the number of Mo nuclear increases, which further induces significant changes in the morphology of MoS2 particles. Such observation was further correlated with HDS activity and selectivity. The CoMoS/γ-Al2O3 catalyst with (NH4)2Mo2S12 as intermediate exhibits suitable slab lengths and stacking numbers of MoS2 slabs with optimal compromisebetween the Mo dispersion and ratios of edge sites to rim sites, and show the highest HDS activity. Therefore, a tailor-made catalyst with excellent HDS performance could be developed by adjusting the sulfiding conditions through ex-situ presulfidation method.

Probing long-range ordering in nickel-base alloys with proton irradiation

Twelve commercial-grade austenitic alloys based on the Ni-Cr-Mo-Fe quaternary system were irradiated using 2 MeV protons at 360 °C to a damage level of 2.5 displacements per atom (dpa). Long-range ordered (Pt2Mo-type) precipitation under proton irradiation was observed, for the first time, in alloys C22, 625, 625P, 625D, 725, and 690. No relevant short-range ordering was observed. These irradiation-enhanced long-range ordered precipitates are coherent with the matrix despite their irregular shape. Of the potential influences on long-range ordering (Ni:Cr, and Ni:(Cr + Mo) ratios, Mo, and iron concentration), Fe content was the strongest by far. The volume fraction of LRO decreases with increasing Fe content by virtue of its role as a stabilizer of the disordered FCC phase, thus reducing the energy savings from ordering. The observed effects of Fe on long-range ordering show qualitative agreement with predictions from thermodynamic modeling. Although solid state diffusion kinetics dominate long-range ordering under purely thermal conditions, ordering under irradiation here (∼ 2.5dpa) is controlled by the thermodynamic driving force. Proton irradiation thus offers a unique approach for studying the low temperature phase transformation in a thermodynamically favored, but kinetically constrained condition.

Synthesis of Ternary Metal Oxides for Battery-Supercapacitor Hybrid Devices: Influences of Metal Species on Redox Reaction and Electrical Conductivity

Designing battery-type materials with good electrocapacitive performance and high electrical conductivity is necessary to improve the energy-storage capability of an battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices (BSH). Ternary metal oxides are synthesized by using a hydrothermal reaction with an extra metal of Mo, Fe, Cu, Zn, or Al incorporated in the nickel cobalt oxide as the battery-type material to enhance the electrical conductivity and generate numerous Faradaic reactions via the multiple oxidation state of transition metals. Because of the larger surface area of the nanosheet structure and the smaller charge transfer resistance with the participation of molybdenum, the best electrocapacitive performance among the ternary metal oxide electrodes is attained for the NixCoyMozO electrode, which is further optimized by tuning the Mo ratios in the precursor solution. An optimized NixCoyMozO electrode is prepared by using the Ni:Co:Mo ratio of 1:2:2. This electrode achieves an areal capacitance (CF) of 2.94 F/cm2...

Hydrodeoxygenation of Octanoic Acid over the Mo–Doped CeO2‐Supported Bimetal Catalysts: The Role of Mo

AbstractNonsulfided CeO2‐supported different metal catalysts were synthesized, characterized and evaluated in the hydrogenation of octanoic acid with a batch reactor at the temperature of 280 oC and initial H2 pressure of 3 MPa. The effect of Mo species was revealed by comparing Mo‐doped catalysts with Mo‐free catalysts. The catalytic results show that the CeO2 supported Ni catalyst doped with Mo exhibit much higher catalytic activity and octane selectivity than the catalysts without dopants. Additionally, the influences of Mo and Ni mass ratio on the conversion of octanoic acid and the selectivity of heptane and octane over CeO2‐based catalysts were also discussed. Ni species seemed beneficial for the deoxygenation reaction to form C7 alkane, while the doping of Mo favored the hydrodeoxygenation path to C8 alkane via dehydration‐hydrogenation of the octanol intermediate.

Tuning the electrical transport of type II Weyl semimetal WTe2 nanodevices by Mo doping

We fabricated nanodevices from MoxW1−xTe2 (x = 0, 0.07, 0.35), and conducted a systematic comparative study of their electrical transport. Magnetoresistance measurements show that Mo doping can significantly suppress mobility and magnetoresistance. The results for the analysis of the two band model show that doping with Mo does not break the carrier balance. Through analysis of Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations, we found that Mo doping also has a strong suppressive effect on the quantum oscillation of the sample, and the higher the ratio of Mo, the fewer pockets were observed in our experiments. Furthermore, the effective mass of electron and hole increases gradually with increasing Mo ratio, while the corresponding quantum mobility decreases rapidly.

Precipitation and clustering in a Ti-Mo steel investigated using atom probe tomography and small-angle neutron scattering

The isothermal evolution of nanometre-sized precipitates formed in a Ti-Mo microalloyed steel through interphase precipitation has been investigated using atom probe tomography and small-angle neutron scattering. The coiling time and applied strain have been varied to observe the precipitate evolution at a constant coiling temperature of 650 °C, where various evolution parameters such as particle radius, number density, volume fraction and chemical composition have been evaluated and compared. The possibility of early stage solute clustering and its effect on precipitate formation have also been investigated. Clustering of Ti, Mo and C atoms as Ti-C and Mo-C has been observed at the shortest coiling time of 5 min. These clusters are assumed to be precursors to the carbide precipitates observed in the system, which exhibit a metastable composition, containing a carbon fraction (C/Ti+Mo ratio) in the range of 0.2–1. In particles having a Guinier radius > 3 nm, however, the average chemical composition approached the stable MC carbide stoichiometry with Ti/Mo ratio ~2.5 and C/(Ti+Mo) ratio ~0.55. This study reveals that the precipitate coarsening kinetics are very slow, with average particle diameter < 5 nm even at longer coiling times (> 10 h) in both the undeformed and deformed conditions. This is believed to be due to the reduction in equilibrium Ti content in the matrix as a result of partial replacement of Ti by Mo (Ti/Mo ratio > 2) in the precipitate lattice, in the presence of excess C in the system.