Magnesothermic synthesis of disperse molybdenum carbide in sodium carbonate melts

The physicochemical aspects of the synthesis of molybdenum carbide powders through the magnesothermic reduction of molybdenum oxide in sodium carbonate melts are considered. The reduction reactions are thermodynamically characterized. The composition of the ionic melt is shown to influence the phase composition of the products. In sodium carbonate melts Mo₂C is formed, while sodium chloride melts under the same conditions yield molybdenum powders. The product yield reaches 97% with an about 30% excess of the reducing agent relative to the stoichiometry. Minor metal concentrations are within ～2%. The particle sizes of the powders are determined. The specific surface area of molybdenum carbide powders is 5.53 × 10⁵ m^?1; that of molybdenum is 20.19 × 10⁵ m^?1.