Facile Synthesis of Mo₂C Nanoparticles from Waste Polyvinyl Chloride

The resource utilization of waste plastic can not only control environmental pollution but can also ease up the problems of lack of energy resources. In this study, molybdenum carbide (Mo₂C) nanoparticles have been synthesized by utilizing waste polyvinyl chloride as a carbon source in a stainless-steel autoclave at 600 °C. X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that the product is orthorhombic phase Mo₂C. Electron microscopy photographs show that the obtained Mo₂C product consisted of crystalline nanoparticles with an average size of 50 nm. The possible formation mechanisms of Mo₂C have been also briefly discussed on the basis of the structures of the products synthesized with different reaction times. The effects of reaction temperature on the crystallinity and microstructure of the obtained products have been investigated. The results show that higher reaction temperature promotes the formation of Mo₂C with high crystallinity.