Sara Pharm scientists, together with University “Politehnica” of Bucharest, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Material Science, “Ilie Murgulescu” Institute of Physical Chemistry, National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Centre of Bioanalysis, National Institute of Materials Physics and the Center for Organic Chemistry C.D. Nenitescu managed to develop an efficient synthesis method for obtaining pure phase W2C at low temperatures (<1050 C),

through the carbothermal reduction of tungsten oxide species in the presence of metallic palladium nanoparticles obtained in situ. The resulting composite materials contain Pd(0) and W2C particles well-dispersed on carbon, with sizes between 50 and 500 nm, showing promise as as potential anode materials for the electro-oxidation of formic acid. The full paper can be accessed here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.05.022

This work was supported by the Romanian grant POSCCE O2.3.3.

1. 1557/2011 (SARELCAT) carried out at Sara Pharm.