Microstructure and properties of the WCu pseudo-alloy doped with chemically synthesized WMo nanopowders

•WMo particles were introduced into WCu as the second phase in nanoscale.•Copper matrix grains were refined after the introduction of WMo nanopowders.•Excellent mechanical performance of the W-Cu-Mo alloy has been achieved.•Strengthening mechanisms in the WCu with WMo nanoparticles were revealed.•WMo nanoparticles exhibited significantly improved arc dispersion effect.