Facile synthesis of triple Ni-Mo-W alloys and their catalytic properties in chemical vapor deposition of chlorinated hydrocarbons

•The catalytic chemical vapor deposition process of 1,2-dichloroethane was studied.•The sponge-like porous Ni-Mo-W alloys were prepared via reductive thermolysis.•The simultaneous presence of Mo and W was shown to have a synergetic effect.•The resulting carbon deposits were the fibers of a segmented structure.