Synthesis and characterization of molybdenum carbides using propane as carbon source

Bulk face-centered-cubic (fcc)-based η-MoC_1−x and hexagonal-close-packed (hcp)-based β-Mo₂C have been prepared using C₃H₈/H₂ by temperature-programmed reaction method and a rapid heating method. In this work, direct carburization of MoO₃ produces η-MoC_1−x or MoO_xC_y with excess carbon, different from that with CH₄/H₂ or C₂H₆/H₂ as carburization reagent. A successive post-treatment by hydrogen causes the phase transformation from fcc-based η-MoC_1−x or MoO_xC_y to hcp-based β-Mo₂C. Amorphous SiO₂-supported β-Mo₂C is also successfully prepared by the two methods and passes through the same route as the bulk one. HRTEM, BET surface area measurements and thiophene hydrodesulfurization reaction are conducted for the comparison of the two methods. The results indicate that different ramping rates bring slight difference in specific surface area and initial catalytic activity but obvious difference in particle size to the final product supported β-Mo₂C.     

Compounds of molybdenum and tungsten with high specific surface area: II. Carbides

Temperature-programmed carburization of W₂N and Mo₂N powders in CH₄H₂ mixtures up to 1150 and 970 K, respectively, leads to metastable face-centered cubic carbide phases. The reaction is topotactic in the sense that the face-centered cubic structure of the metal atoms remains unaltered, while the nitrogen and carbon atoms exchange their interstitial positions. Thus, the product retains the structure, crystallite size, and high specific surface area of its nitride parent, namely, 55 and 185 m² g^?1 for β-WC_1?x and α-MoC_0.45, respectively.     

The influence of phase and morphology of molybdenum nitrides on ammonia synthesis activity and reduction characteristics

The reactivities of a series of ternary and binary molybdenum nitrides have been compared. Data have been obtained for the catalytic synthesis of ammonia at 400 °C and ambient pressure using a 3:1 H₂:N₂ mixture. Amongst the ternary nitrides, the mass normalised activity is in the order Co₃Mo₃N>Fe₃Mo₃N?Ni₂Mo₃N. For the binary molybdenum nitrides, the ammonia synthesis activity is significantly lower than that of Co₃Mo₃N and Fe₃Mo₃N and varies in the order γ-Mo₂N∼β-Mo₂N_0.78?δ-MoN. Nanorod forms of β-Mo₂N_0.78 and γ-Mo₂N exhibit generally similar activities to conventional polycrystalline samples, demonstrating that the influence of catalyst morphology is limited for these two materials. In order to characterise the reactivity of the lattice nitrogen species of the nitrides, temperature programmed reactions with a 3:1 H₂:Ar mixture at temperatures up to 700 °C have been performed. For all materials studied, the predominant form of nitrogen lost was N₂, with smaller amounts of NH₃ being formed. Post-reaction powder diffraction analyses demonstrated lattice shifts in the case of Co₃Mo₃N and Ni₂Mo₃N upon temperature programmed reaction with H₂/Ar. Incomplete decomposition yielding mixtures of Mo metal and the original phase were observed for Fe₃Mo₃N and γ-Mo₂N, whilst β-Mo₂N_0.78 transforms completely to Mo metal and δ-MoN is converted to γ-Mo₂N.     

Planar defects in Mo2BC. An electron microscope study

Structural relationships between Mo₂BC, σ-MoB, β-MoB, and β-MoC_1?x are described and possibilities for planar intergrowth defects (Wadsley defects) and nonstoichiometry are considered. The term chemical stacking fault is proposed. Electron microscopy of Mo₂BC specimens revealed crystals that were rich in planar defects with widths consistent with the defects postulated.     

Synthesis, Structures, and Thermal Expansion of the La2W2−xMoxO9 Series

The La₂W_2−xMo_xO₉ series has been synthesized by the ceramic method. An alternative synthesis using microwave radiation is also reported. La₂W₂O₉ has two polymorphs and the low-temperature phase (α) transforms to the high-temperature form (β) at 1077°C. The influence of the W/Mo substitution in this phase transition has been investigated by DTA. The β structure for x≥0.7 compositions can be prepared as single phase at any cooling rate. The β phase for 0.3≤x≤0.7 compounds can be prepared as single phase by quenching, whereas a mixture of α and β phases is obtained by slow cooling. The W/Mo ratio in both coexisting phases is different with the β-phase having a higher Mo content. The x=0.1 and 0.2 compounds have been prepared as mixtures of phases. The room temperature structure of β-La₂W_1.7Mo_0.3O₉ has been analyzed by the Rietveld method in P2₁3 space group. The final R-factors were R_WP=9.0% and R_F=5.6% with a structure similar to that of β-La₂Mo₂O₉. Finally, the thermal expansion of both types of structures has been determined from a thermodiffractometric study. The thermal expansion coefficients were 2.9×10⁻⁶ and 9.7×10⁻⁶°C⁻¹ for α-La₂W₂O₉ and β-La₂W_1.2Mo_0.8O₉, respectively.     

Tunable white light-emission of a CaW1?x Mo x O4:Tm3+, Tb3+, Eu3+ phosphor prepared by a Pechini sol–gel method

A white light-emitting CaW_1?x Mo _x O₄:Tm³⁺, Tb³⁺, Eu³⁺ phosphor was prepared by a Pechini sol?Cgel method. The incorporation of Mo⁶⁺ into the CaWO₄ host matrix can broaden its excitation range and promote tunability to its emission. When the CaW_1?x Mo _x O₄ system is triply-doped with Tm³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Eu³⁺ ions, energy transfer occurs from both WO₄ ^2? and MoO₄ ^2? groups to Tm³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions. A significant red-shift in the excitation of Eu³⁺ allows the resulting emission to be tunable between cool, natural, and warm white light by varying the excitation wavelength. The undoped and triply-doped CaW_1?x Mo _x O₄ phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra, and CIE chromaticity (x, y) coordinates.     

Magnetotransport properties of Mo substituted La0.7Ca0.3Mn1−xMoxO3 perovskites

We studied the effects of Mo substitution on the structural, transport, and magnetic properties of the La_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_1−xMo_xO₃ (x ≤ 0.1) samples. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the samples studied crystallize in the orthorhombic structure with space group Pbnm. Both particle size and morphology change significantly as the Mo content x varies. The metal-insulator transition temperature (T_MI) and Curie temperature (T_C) decrease monotonically as x increases. Magnetization data reveal that long-range FM ordering persists in all samples and the saturation moment decreases linearly as x increases. The smaller depression rate of dT_C/dx observed is mainly ascribed to the increased amount of Mn²⁺ ions with Mo doping, which opens the FM coupling between Mn²⁺–O–Mn³⁺ in the samples.     

Pechini synthesis and characterization of molybdenum carbide and nickel molybdenum carbide

Carbides, such as η-Ni₆Mo₆C, are considered as low-cost substitutes for noble metal catalysts for present applications in hydrodesulfurization and for a possible future sulfur-tolerant fuel cell anode catalyst. Most synthesis methods set the carbon content of the carbides by a carbon-based atmosphere or solid carbon in the synthesis. We show here that β-Mo₂C and η-Ni₆Mo₆C can be synthesized using a Pechini process, simply by heating metal acetates mixed with citric acid and ethylene glycol in one step under H₂ with the only source of carbon being the precursor solution. The β-Mo₂C forms when heating a Mo-acetate precursor at 850 °C. When using Ni- and Mo-acetates, β-Mo₂C forms at 700 °C and lower temperatures, while η-Ni₆Mo₆C forms during heating at 800-900 °C. The η-Ni₆Mo₆C has a surface area of 95.5 m² g⁻¹ and less than 10 m² g⁻¹ when prepared at 800 and 900 °C, respectively. Some Ni₃C, Ni, and NiC impurities are also present in the nanostructured η-Ni₆Mo₆C that was prepared at 900 °C. The η-Ni₆Mo₆C materials made by the Pechini process are compared with those made from a traditional synthesis, using metal organic precursors at 1000 °C under CO/CO₂ mixtures with a carbon activity of 0.011. Our results imply that H₂ and the Pechini process can be used to achieve carbon activities similar to those obtained by methods using gaseous or solid carbon sources.     

Paramagnetic defects in α-WxV2O5

Paramagnetic defects in α-W_xV₂O₅ have been studied by ESR. A model is proposed where the unpaired electron arising from a valence induction effect remains localized on a single vanadium ion near the W⁶⁺ along the b direction. Introducing W⁶⁺ leads to a lattice distortion which is more important than that in the case of Mo⁶⁺. A slight displacement of vanadium along the a direction is observed in the defect, V⁴⁺ showing a stronger tendency toward octahedral coordination than V⁵⁺.     

Mechanisms of molybdenum substitution in vanadium antimonate

The formation of a solid solution containing the three elements V, Sb and Mo, which are key-elements in the design of light alkane oxidation catalysts, has been studied by incorporating molybdenum into the pure VSbO₄ compound as obtained in air at 700°C (V³⁺_0.28V⁴⁺_0.64□_0.16Sb⁵⁺_0.92O₄). Monophasic compounds with a rutile-type structure have been obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, Infrared Fourier transform, X-ray absorption and electron spin resonance spectroscopies. At low molybdenum content, Mo⁶⁺ substitute V⁴⁺ in the cationic-deficient structure. The charge balance is maintained by an increase of the cationic vacancy number. This leads to the formation of a solid solution corresponding to the formula V³⁺_0.28V⁴⁺_0.64−3xMo⁶⁺_2x□_0.16+xSb⁵⁺_0.92O₄ with 0<x<0.09. At higher molybdenum content, Mo⁵⁺ are stabilized and substitute Sb⁵⁺ in the rutile structure: V³⁺_0.28V⁴⁺_0.37Mo⁶⁺_0.18□_0.25Mo⁵⁺_ySb⁵⁺_0.9−yO₄ with 0<y<0.06. At higher molybdenum content the rutile phase is no longer stable and two new phases are formed: Sb₂O₄ and a new mixed vanadium molybdenum antimonate.     

Hydrogen Doping into MoO3 Supports toward Modulated Metal–Support Interactions and Efficient Furfural Hydrogenation on Iridium Nanocatalysts

As promising supports, reducible metal oxides afford strong metal–support interactions to achieve efficient catalysis, which relies on their band states and surface stoichiometry. In this study, in situ and controlled hydrogen doping (H doping) by means of H₂ spillover was employed to engineer the metal–support interactions in hydrogenated MoO_x‐supported Ir (Ir/H?MoO_x) catalysts and thus promote furfural hydrogenation to furfuryl alcohol. By easily varying the reduction temperature, the resulting H doping in a controlled manner tailors low‐valence Mo species (Mo⁵⁺ and Mo⁴⁺) on H?MoO_x supports, thereby promoting charge redistribution on Ir and H?MoO_x interfaces. This further leads to clear differences in H₂ chemisorption on Ir, which illustrates its potential for catalytic hydrogenation. As expected, the optimal Ir/H?MoO_x with controlled H doping afforded high activity (turnover frequency: 4.62 min^?1) and selectivity (>99 %) in furfural hydrogenation under mild conditions (T=30 °C, P =2 MPa), which means it performs among the best of current catalysts.     

Electronic structures and X-ray photoelectron spectra of MoO2 and Li2 MoO4

Electronic structures of MoO₂ (4d²) and molybdatc (4d^o) are calculated by the discrete-variational Xα method employing [Mo₂O₁₀^12? and [MoO₄]^2? clusters. The calculations indicate that the Mo—O bond is more covalent in the molybdatc than in MoO₂. Level structures for the valence band region arc in agreement with XPS spectra of MoO₂ and Li₂MoO₄.     

Catalytic performance of Fe modified K/MO2C catalyst for CO hydrogenation

Fe modified and un-modified K/Mo2C were prepared and investigated as catalysts for CO hydrogenation reaction. Compared with K/Mo2C catalyst, the addition of Fe increased the production of alcohols, especially the C2+OH. Meanwhile, considerable amounts of C5+ hydrocar- bons and C2= -C4= were formed, whereas methane selectivity greatly decreased. Also, the activity and selectivity of the catalyst were readily affected by the reaction pressure and temperature employed. According to the XPS results, Mo4+ might be responsible for the production of alcohols, whereas the low valence state of Mo species such as Mo0 and/or Mo2+ might be account for the high activity and selectivity toward hydrocarbons.     

Subsolidus phase diagram of Cu2OCuOMoO3 system

Five chemical compounds, CuMoO₄, Cu₃Mo₂O₉, Cu₂Mo₃O₁₀, Cu₆Mo₄O₁₅, and Cu_4?x Mo₃O₁₂ (0.10 ? x ? 0.40), were identified in the system Cu₂OCuOMoO₃ and characterized by DTA, X-ray powder patterns, ir spectra, and magnetic properties. Cupric molybdates CuMoO₄ and Cu₃Mo₂O₉ are stable in air up to 820 and 855°C, respectively, melting at these temperatures with simultaneous decomposition (oxygen loss). Congruent mp of cuprous molybdates Cu₂Mo₃O₁₀ and Cu₆Mo₄O₁₅, in argon, are 532 and 466°C, respectively. Nonstoichiometric phase Cu_4?x Mo₃O₁₂ = Cu²⁺₃Cu⁰_1?xMo⁶⁺₃O₁₂, melts in argon between 630 and 650°C depending on the value of x and at 525–530°C undergoes polymorphic transformation. Areas of coexistence of the above-mentioned phases are determined. The μ_eff of Cu²⁺ ions and θ values are: 1.80 B.M. and 28°K for CuMoO₄, 1.71 B.M. and ? 12°K for Cu₃Mo₂O₉, and 1.74 B.M. and ? 93°K for Cu_4?xMo₃O₁₂. Below 200°K CuMoO₄ becomes antiferromagnetic. Cu₂Mo₃O₁₀ and Cu₆Mo₄O₁₅ show weak temperature-independent paramagnetism.     

Three 3D hybrid networks based on octamolybdates and different Cu/Cu-bis(triazole) motifs

Three 3D compounds based on octamolybdate clusters and various Cu^I/Cu^II-bis(triazole) motifs, [Cu^I₂btb][β-Mo₈O₂₆]_0.5 (1), [Cu^I₂btpe][β-Mo₈O₂₆]_0.5 (2), and [Cu^II(btpe)₂][β-Mo₈O₂₆]_0.5 (3) [btb=1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane, btpe=1,5-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pentane], were isolated via tuning flexible ligand spacer length and metal coordination preferences. In 1, the copper(I)-btb motif is a one-dimensional (1D) chain which is further linked by hexadentate β-[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ clusters via coordinating to Cu^I cations giving a 3D structure. In 2, the copper(I)-btpe motif exhibits a “stairs”-like [Cu^I₂btpe]²⁺ sheet, and the tetradentate β-[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ clusters interact with two neighboring [Cu^I₂btpe]²⁺ sheets constructing a 3D framework. In 3, the copper(II)-btpe motif possesses a novel (2D→3D) interdigitated structure, which is further connected by the tetradentate β-[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ clusters forming a 3D framework. The thermal stability and luminescent properties of 1-3 are investigated in the solid state.     

The effect of reduction and temperature on the electronic core levels of tungsten and molybdenum in WO3 and WxMo1−xO3—A photoelectron spectroscopic study

X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been applied to electrochromic, reduced WO₃ and W_xMo_1?xO₃ crystals. In metal-reduced phases containing crystallographic shear planes the formation of Mo⁵⁺ (preferentially) and W⁵⁺ is observed in addition to that of the six-valent states. W⁵⁺ and W⁶⁺ are also dominant in H⁺-bombarded WO₃ indicating the formation of bronzes H_xWO₃. Significant differences are observed between single-crystal and “amorphous” oxides. The five-valent state is interpreted as being due to electron trapping and polaron formation. Under Ar⁺ bombardment the crystallinity of the surface is destroyed and a continuous distribution of W⁰, W⁴⁺, W⁵⁺, and W⁶⁺ is found similar to that observed for amorphous thin films. At low temperatures the (?-δ) metal-insulator (M-I) transformation of H⁺:WO₃ is accompanied by a spontaneous change in the linewidth of W⁵⁺ core levels but not of W⁶⁺ states. This is in accordance with recent theoretical approaches to M-I transformations.     

Structural and surface analysis of unsupported and alumina-supported La(Mn,Fe,Mo)O3 perovskite oxides

A series of bulk and Al₂O₃-supported perovskite oxides of the type LaMn_1???x???y Fe _x Mo _y O₃ (x?=?0.00?0.90 and y?=?0.00–0.09) were synthesized by the citric acid complexation–gelation method followed by annealing in air at 800 °C. For all samples, the local environment and the chemical state and concentration of surface species were determined. Mössbauer spectra revealed the only presence of octahedral Fe³⁺ ions dispersed in the perovskite structure, however well-crystallized together with a poorly crystalline LaFeO₃ phases were detected for larger substitutions (x?=?0.90). A similar picture was obtained for Mo-loaded (y?=?0.02 and 0.05) samples but a new phase most likely related to Fe³⁺ ions dispersed aside from the perovskite structure was found for larger substitutions (y?=?0.09). Together with these structures, supported samples showed the presence of LaFeO₃ nanoparticles. Finally, photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the chemical state and composition of the samples in the surface region (2–3 nm) approaches that of the bulk. For the unsupported substituted samples, iron (and molybdenum) enters into the perovskite structure while manganese tends to be slightly segregated. Moreover, in supported perovskites, a fraction of Mo and La atoms interact with the alumina surface. All these oxides were active in methane combustion and best performance was recorded for the Fe-rich composition (x?=?0.9) in which both Mn³⁺ and Mo³⁺ ions were in the same proportion (y?=?0.05).     

Organometallic–inorganic charge transfer salts containing a cationic iron mixed sandwich and polyoxomolybdate anions: Syntheses,X-ray molecular structures and spectroscopic properties

Two new organometallic–inorganic charge transfer salts formulated as [(η⁵-Cp)Fe(η⁶-MeO-p-C₆H₄–NHNH₂)]₂[Mo₆O₁₉], 1, and [(η⁵-Cp)Fe(η⁶-MeO-p-C₆H₄–NHNH₂)]₄[β-Mo₈O₂₆], 2, were prepared through a metathesis reaction between the organometallic hydrazine precursor [(η⁵-Cp)Fe(η⁶-MeO-p-C₆H₄–NHNH₂)]⁺PF₆^? and either [n-Bu₄N]₂[Mo₆O₁₉] or [n-Bu₄N]₄[α-Mo₈O₂₆] in acetonitrile. In the second case, the [α-Mo₈O₂₆]^4? anion transforms into the [β-Mo₈O₂₆]^4? isomer. These organometallic–inorganic hybrids were characterized by spectroscopic techniques (IR, ¹H NMR and UV–vis). In addition, the UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra of 1 and 2 in solid state exhibit a band at λ_max = 475 and 470 nm, respectively, not observed in DMSO solution, which have been attributed to a charge transfer transition. On the other hand, the solid state structure of 2, solved by X-ray diffraction analysis shows the formation of hydrogen bonds between the protons of the –NHNH₂ and C–H groups with the terminal oxo groups of the β-octamolybdate anions [β-Mo₈O₂₆]^4?. Finally, hybrid 3, formulated as [(η⁵-Cp)Fe(η⁶-C₆H₅OMe)]₄[β-Mo₈O₂₆] was prepared in EtOH under solvothermal conditions. The single crystal X-ray structure shows the elimination of the –NHNH₂ group from the organometallic mixed sandwich reducing its associative ability toward the oxo groups of the counterion only to the electrostatic interactions and to the very weak CH?O hydrogen bonds.     

A novel route to synthesize cubic ZrW2−xMoxO8 (x=0-1.3) solid solutions and their negative thermal expansion properties

Cubic ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈ (c-ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈) (x=0-1.3) solid solutions were prepared by a novel polymorphous precursor transition route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the solid solutions are single phase with α- and β-ZrW₂O₈ structure for 0?x?0.8 and 0.9?x?1.3, respectively. The optimum synthesis conditions of ZrWMoO₈ are obtained from differential scanning calorimetry-thermal gravimetric analysis (DSC-TGA), XRD and mass loss-temperature/time curves. Following the above experience, the stoichiometric solid solutions of c-ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈ (x=0-1) are obtained within 1 wt% of mass loss. The relationships of lattice parameters (a), phase transition temperatures (T_c) and instantaneous coefficients of thermal expansion (α_i) against the content x of Mo are discussed based on the variation of order degree parameters of ZrW_2−xMo_xO₈.     

A Redox‐anchoring Approach to Well‐dispersed MoCx/C Nanocomposite for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Here we report a redox‐anchoring strategy for synthesizing a non‐noble metal carbide (MoC_x) nanocomposite electrocatalyst for water electrolysis in acidic media, using glucose and ammonium heptamolybdate as carbon and Mo precursors, respectively, without the need of gaseous carbon sources such as CH₄. Specifically, the aldehyde groups of glucose are capable of reducing Mo⁶⁺ to Mo⁴⁺ (MoO₂), and thus molybdenum species can be well anchored by a redox reaction onto a carbon matrix to prevent the aggregation of MoC_x nanoparticles during the following carbonization process. The morphology and chemical composition of the electrocatalysts were well characterized by BSE‐SEM, TEM, XRD and XPS. The obtained MoC_x−2 sample showed a reasonably high hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity and excellent stability in an acidic electrolyte, and its overpotential required for a current density output of 20 mA cm⁻² is as low as 193 mV. Such a prominent performance is ascribed to the excellent dispersity and nano‐size, and the large reactive surface area of MoC_x particles. This work may open a new way to the design and fabrication of other non‐noble metal carbide nanocatalysts for various electrochemical applications.