Mo-Cu nano-particles were synthesized by a microwave-assisted aqueous solution strategy and subsequent low-temperature hydrogen reduction process. Microwave radiation can promote nucleation in the aqueous solution resulting in fine particles with a high specific surface area, so they can be reduced at an ultra-low temperature. The prepared Mo-Cu composite powders with size ranging from 10 to 50 nm possess a Mo@Cu core-shell structure in their grains, whose relative density can reach up to 99.4% after being sintered at 1150 C for 1.5 h. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.