The microstructure and mechanical property of hot-pressed nanocomposites with a different temperature for atmosphere changing from to Ar have been studied. When the atmosphere changed from to Ar gas at , the hot-pressed composite was characterized by inhomogeneous microstructure and low fracture strength. On the contrary, when the atmosphere changed at a lower temperature of , a more homogeneous microstructure and higher fracture strength was observed.

The effect of Cu on the hydrogen reduction of powders was investigated by measuring the humidity change during a non-isothermal process of hydrogen reduction. The presence of Cu induced a shift in the reduction temperature and strongly affected the reduction processes of , which comprised the contained chemical vapor transport of . This study suggests that the surface of the Cu grains acts as a nucleation site for the reduction of to particles from or . Such an activated reduction process results in the deposition of Mo and particles on the surface of the Cu.