Polyhedral Graphite Particles Ambient Air Direct Current Arc Plasma Synthesis Supported by Molybdenum Catalyst

The paper represents the results of experimental studies, showing the possibility of obtaining submicron and nanoscale crystalline phases in direct current arc plasma, formed in an open air in the cavity of a graphite cathode. In the series of experiments the objects were synthesized in the presence of carbon and molybdenum powders, which were identified as particles of polyhedral graphite. The objects are characterized by the sizes of the order of ~ 100-500 nm, typical morphology and a graphite-like structure. According to the energy dispersive analysis, these objects contain on average up to 98% (mass) of carbon, up to 1% (mass) of molybdenum and up to 1% (mass) of oxygen. A feature of the applied approach is its implementation in the open air, which is possible due to the effect of self-shielding of the reaction zone from air oxygen by carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide gases. Also, the cubic molybdenum phase, the orthorhombic MO
₂
C and hexagonal Mo
_1.2
C
_0.8
phases of molybdenum carbide are identified in the synthesis product.