High-performance molybdenum carbide powder catalyst for oil decomposition by solution combustion synthesis with post-annealing

Molybdenum carbide (Mo 2 C) is a material with a combination of excellent functional characteristics, making it interesting for a practical application in variety of fields. In this study, the synthesis of Mo₂C was successfully conducted using a combined solution combustion synthesis (SCS) and controlled thermal annealing. Optimal synthesis conditions were identified through thermodynamic analysis, revealed that exothermic reactions occur with ammonium nitrate-to-ammonium molybdate ratios of 10–50 and fuel-to-oxidizer ratios (φ) of 1.5–5.0. The materials exhibited a highly porous structure, with single-phase Mo₂C achieved after annealing with glycine as a reducer. Mo₂C enhances thermocatalytic decomposition of synthetic aviation oil. Notably, Mo₂C reduces the activation energy by 25% compared to homogeneous decomposition, achieving process efficiency improvements up to 639%, at 250 °C. These findings highlight potential of application of combined SCS-thermal annealing method for the obtaining Mo₂C, while the synthesized materials have high potential for advanced catalytic applications in energy and aerospace. • Conditions for Mo 2 C solution combustion synthesis were thermodynamically calculated • Synthesis of Mo 2 C was conducted using glycine, urotropine, sucrose and citric acid • Pure Mo 2 C nanopowders were obtained with glycine after post-annealing at 1000°C • Mo 2 C nanopowders showed high-performance during thermocatalytic decomposition of oil • Mo 2 C nanopowder catalysts decreased decomposition activation energy by 25%