Synthesis of tungsten carbide nanopowder via submerged discharge method

Tungsten carbide nanopowder was prepared via pulsed discharge of bulk tungsten and graphite rods immersed in pure ethanol. The effect of discharge parameters on the characteristics of final products was investigated. Structural and morphological characterization of nanopowder was performed by means of X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. In order to determine the feasibility of using synthesized material as an electrocatalyst, tungsten carbide nanopowder was tested for hydrogen evolution. A correlation was found between morphology of nanoparticles, their phase composition and electrocatalytic activity.