A comparative study on the dispersion behaviors and surface acid properties of molybdena on CeO2 and ZrO2 (Tet)

Dispersion of molybdena on CeO₂, ZrO₂ (Tet), and a mixture of CeO₂ and ZrO₂ (Tet), was investigated by using laser Raman spectroscopy (LRS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR). The results indicate that molybdena is dispersed on both individual oxide support and mixed oxide support at the adopted molybdena loadings (0.2 and 0.8 mmol Mo⁶⁺/100 m²) and the structure of the supported molybdena species is intimate association with its loading amount. Two molybdena species are identified by Raman results, i.e. isolated MoO²⁻₄ species at 0.2 mmol Mo⁶⁺/100 m² and polymolybdate species at 0.8 mmol Mo⁶⁺/100 m². IR spectra of ammonia adsorption prove that isolated MoO²⁻₄ species are Lewis acid sites on the Mo/Ce and/or Zr samples, and the polymolybdate species are Brönsted acid sites on the Mo/Ce and/or Zr samples. Moreover, a combination of the Raman, IR and TPR results confirms that at 0.2 mmol Mo⁶⁺/100 m² Ce + Zr, molybdena is preferentially dispersed on the surface of CeO₂ when a mixed oxide support (CeO₂ and ZrO₂) is present, which was explained in term of the difference of the surface basicity between CeO₂ and ZrO₂ (Tet). Surface structures of the oxide supports were also taken into consideration.     

Methodical aspects in the surface analysis of supported molybdena catalysts

Supported molybdena catalysts, with TiO₂, CeO₂ and Al₂O₃ supports, were studied by XPS and ISS. It was found that reliable results are obtained only when samples are calcined and transferred into the ultrahigh vacuum system without further contact with the ambient atmosphere (‘in situ calcination’). This applies also to catalysts that were previously calcined but had been stored in the ambient atmosphere. Supported Mo oxide becomes reduced under x‐ray irradiation during extended XPS data acquisition. A slight decrease of the Mo/support cation intensity ratio as a consequence of this reduction was detected by ISS in MoO₃/TiO₂ and MoO₃/CeO₂, therefore ISS analysis should be performed on freshly calcined samples without prior extended exposure to x‐rays. Because ISS spectra change rapidly due to sputtering, a correct analysis of the surface properties of the supported Mo catalyst requires extrapolation of the trend to the start of the experiment. It was established by this methodology that the surface of a 7% MoO₃/TiO₂ catalyst (5.3 Mo nm^?2) is completely covered by a monolayer of Mo oxide species, and no Ti cation is exposed. In a submonolayer MoO₃/CeO₂ catalyst the exposed support could be detected, as expected, whereas in an MoO₃/Al₂O₃ catalyst with an Mo oxide loading equal to the monolayer coverage a slight exposure of the Al support cation also was noted probably because of the high curvature of the smaller Al₂O₃ particles. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhanced sulfur‐resistant methanation performance over MoO3–ZrO2 catalyst prepared by solution combustion method

Sulfur‐resistant methanation of syngas was studied over MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalysts at 400°C. The MoO₃–ZrO₂ solid‐solution catalysts were prepared using the solution combustion method by varying MoO₃ content and temperature. The 15MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst achieved the highest methanation performance with CO conversion up to 80% at 400°C. The structure of ZrO₂ and dispersed MoO₃ species was characterized using X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The energy‐dispersive spectrum of the 15MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst showed that the solution combustion method gave well‐dispersed MoO₃ particles on the surface of ZrO₂. The structure of the catalysts depends on the Mo surface density. It was observed that in the 15MoO₃–ZrO₂ catalyst the Mo surface density of 4.2 Mo atoms nm^?2 approaches the theoretical monolayer capacity of 5 Mo atoms nm^?2. The addition of a small amount of MoO₃ to ZrO₂ led to higher tetragonal content of ZrO₂ along with a reduction of particle size. This leads to an efficient catalyst for the low‐temperature CO methanation process.     

Porous Molybdenum‐Based Hybrid Catalysts for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution

We have synthesized a porous Mo‐based composite obtained from a polyoxometalate‐based metal–organic framework and graphene oxide (POMOFs/GO) using a simple one‐pot method. The MoO₂@PC‐RGO hybrid material derived from the POMOFs/GO composite is prepared at a relatively low carbonization temperature, which presents a superior activity for the hydrogen‐evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media owing to the synergistic effects among highly dispersive MoO₂ particles, phosphorus‐doped porous carbon, and RGO substrates. MoO₂@PC‐RGO exhibits a very positive onset potential close to that of 20 % Pt/C, low Tafel slope of 41 mV dec^?1, high exchange current density of 4.8×10^?4 A cm^?2, and remarkable long‐term cycle stability. It is one of the best high‐performance catalysts among the reported nonprecious metal catalysts for HER to date.     

Catalytic dehydrogenation of cyclohexene over MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/γ-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts

A series of MoO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts with different Mo surface densities (Mo atoms/nm²) has been prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method. Structural characteristics of the prepared catalysts were investigated by atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption at −196 °C, and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). The catalytic activities of the prepared catalysts were tested by cyclohexene conversion between 200 and 400 °C. XRD results indicated that molybdenum oxide species were dispersed as a monolayer on the support up to 4.04 Mo atoms/nm², and the formation of crystalline MoO₃ was observed above this loading. FTIR and TPR results showed that molybdenum oxide species were present predominantly in tetrahedral form at lower loading, and polymeric octahedral forms were dominant at higher loading. Cyclohexene conversion reaction proceeded mainly through the simple dehydrogenation pathway in the studied temperature range 200–400 °C and was found to be highly dependent on MoO₃ dispersion.     

Determination of the Mo surface environment of Mo/TiO2 catalysts by EXAFS,XANES and PCA

The local structure of oxidic Mo/TiO₂ catalysts (0.5 to 13.5 wt.% Mo) has been studied using EXAFS and XANES. Both EXAFS and XANES results suggest that the Mo surface phase is octahedrally coordinated for all Mo loadings. The EXAFS results were also examined using principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the number of Mo species present on the Mo/TiO₂ catalysts. Results from PCA of the Mo EXAFS spectra suggested the presence of three Mo species: two surface species and bulk MoO₃.     

An infrared study of molybdenum /V/ hydroxide

The IR spectra of paramagnetic Mo/V/ oxygen compounds that are claimed in the literature to be unstable, were measurement in the 4000–3000 and 1200–250 cm^?1 regions. The spectra are poor but show a few bands in the valence and in the OH groups vibrations regions. Mo/V/ hydroxide can be reversibly or irreversibly dehydroxylated thermally in vacuum. The irreversible dehydroxylation of amorphous species containing Mo/V/ hydroxide takes place at >350°C, and is connected with a rearrengement of the atomic OMoO linkage and with crystallization of MoO₃, MoO₂ and Mo₄O₁₁ phases.     

Thermal stability and surface structure of Mo/CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Ce-doped Mo/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalysts

In order to explore the influence of CeO₂ on the structure and surface characteristics of molybdena, an investigation was undertaken by using N₂ adsorption (BET method), thermal analysis and in-situ diffuse reflectance infrared (DRIFT) techniques. In this work, the Mo/CeO₂ and Ce-Mo/Al₂O₃ samples were prepared by impregnation and co-precipitation methods with high Mo loadings. Combining the results one may notice that the presence of ceria led to the increase of polymerized surface Mo species so as to forming Mo-O-Ce linkages besides the formation of coupled O=Mo=O bonds indicative of polymeric MoO₃. From thermal analysis, it can be inferred that Mo/Al₂O₃ is the thermally most stable material in the temperature range used in the experiment (up to 900°C), whereas Ce-Mo/Al₂O₃ and Mo/CeO₂ samples undergo morphological modifications above 700°C resulting in lattice defects, which motivate the mobility of Mo and Ce ions and thus enhance the possibility of interaction between them. Additionally, their activity towards CO adsorption needs reduced ceria and molybdena containing coordinatively unsaturated sites (CUS), oxygen vacancies and hydroxyl groups to form various carbonate species.     

Acetalization of glycerol using mesoporous MoO3/SiO2 solid acid catalyst

Acetalization of glycerol with various aldehydes has been carried out using mesoporous MoO₃/SiO₂ as a solid acid catalyst. A series of MoO₃/SiO₂ catalysts with varying MoO₃ loadings (1–20 mol%) were prepared by sol–gel technique using ethyl silicate-40 and ammonium heptamolybdate as silica and molybdenum source respectively. The sol–gel derived samples were calcined at 500 °C and characterized using various physicochemical characterization techniques. The XRD of the calcined samples showed the formation of amorphous phase up to 10 mol% MoO₃ loading and at higher loading of crystalline α-MoO₃ on amorphous silica support. TEM analyses of the materials showed the uniform distribution of MoO₃ nanoparticles on amorphous silica support. Raman spectroscopy showed the formation of silicomolybdic acid at low Mo loading and a mixture of α-MoO₃ and polymolybdate species at high Mo loadings. Moreover the Raman spectra of intermediate loading samples also suggest the presence of β-MoO₃. Acetalization of glycerol with benzaldehyde was carried out using series of MoO₃/SiO₂ catalysts with varying MoO₃ loadings (1–20 mol%). Among the series, MoO₃/SiO₂ with 20 mol% MoO₃ loadings was found to be the most active catalyst in acetalization under mild conditions. Maximum conversion of benzaldehyde (72%) was obtained in 8 h at 100 °C with 60% selectivity for the six-membered acetal using 20% MoO₃/SiO₂. Interestingly with substituted benzaldehydes under same reaction conditions the conversion of aldehydes decreased with increase in selectivity for six-membered acetals. These results indicate the potential of this catalyst for the acetalization of glycerol for an environmentally benign process.     

Formation of Triple‐Shelled Molybdenum–Polydopamine Hollow Spheres and Their Conversion into MoO2/Carbon Composite Hollow Spheres for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Unique triple‐shelled Mo‐polydopamine (Mo‐PDA) hollow spheres are synthesized through a facile solvothermal process. A sequential self‐templating mechanism for the multi‐shell formation is proposed, and the number of shells can be adjusted by tuning the size of the Mo‐glycerate templates. These triple‐shelled Mo‐PDA hollow spheres can be converted to triple‐shelled MoO₂/carbon composite hollow spheres by thermal treatment. Owing to the unique multi‐shells and hollow interior, the as‐prepared MoO₂/carbon composite hollow spheres exhibit appealing performance as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries, delivering a high capacity of ca. 580 mAh g^?1 at 0.5 A g^?1 with good rate capability and long cycle life.     

Surface Characterization and the Gas Response of a Mixed,Fe2O3?Fe2(MoO4)3, Oxide to Low Concentrations of H2S in Air

The preparation and H₂S sensing potential of thick‐films of a mixed oxide, Fe₂O₃? Fe₂(MoO₄)₃, were investigated. A Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) study confirmed the existence of sulfur species at the surface after the interaction of H₂S gas with the mixed oxide. The starting material, β‐FeMoO₄, was synthesized by a solvothermal method, followed by supercritical drying. Heat treatment of this material (oxidation) above 500 °C resulted in the formation of Fe₂O₃? Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ mixed oxide, where Fe₂O₃ was a by‐product. An increase in the conductivity of the films in the presence of H₂S gas (concentration range 1–20 ppm in air) was observed with the simultaneous formation of water and sulfide ions at 225 °C. An improvement of the H₂S sensing potential is obtained, using an intermediate short heat treatment at higher temperature (500 °C) in the beginning of recovery (desorption) phase. This intermediate high temperature, used before every expected exposure to H₂S gas, may contribute the formation of an initial surface coverage of O^2?.     

Nano‐MoO3‐modified MCM‐22 for methane dehydroaromatization

The work reported was aimed at a simple method to improve the catalytic activity of Mo/HMCM‐22 in methane aromatization. The catalysts were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption–desorption, NH₃ temperature‐programmed desorption, infrared spectra of pyridine adsorption, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Physicochemical measurements indicated that Mo species with smaller size in HMCM‐22 would sublimate more easily and form Mo species at the atomic/molecular level and then interact well with the internal Brønsted acid sites to form Mo–O–Al active species. Catalytic results confirmed that nano‐MoO₃‐modified HMCM‐22 showed higher methane conversion and aromatics yield (13.1 versus 8.9%) than commercial MoO₃‐modified HMCM‐22 (11.0 versus 7.5%). In addition, nano‐MoO₃‐modified HMCM‐22 showed better durability compared with commercial MoO₃‐modified MCM‐22. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High Catalytic Efficiency of Nanostructured Molybdenum Trioxide in the Benzylation of Arenes and an Investigation of the Reaction Mechanism

The synthesis and characterization of nanostructured MoO₃ with a thickness of about 30 nm and a width of about 450 nm are reported. The composition formula of the MP (precipitation method) precursor was estimated to be [(NH₄)₂O]_0.169?MoO₃? (H₂O)_0.239. The calcination of the precursor in air afforded nanostructured pellets of the α‐MoO₃ phase. The nanostructured MoO₃ catalyst exhibited high efficiency in catalyzing the benzylation of various arenes with substituted benzyl alcohols, which were strikingly different to common bulk MoO₃. Most reactions offered >99 % conversion and >99 % selectivity to monoalkylated compounds. MoO₃ is a typical acid catalyst. However, the benzylation reaction over nanostructured MoO₃ does not belong to the acid‐catalyzed type or defect site‐catalyzed type, since the catalyst has no acidity and defect site on surface. Characterization with thermal, spectroscopic, and electronic techniques reveal that the catalyst contains fully oxygen‐coordinated MoO₆ octahedrons on the surface but partially reduced species (Mo⁵⁺) within the bulk phase. The terminal oxygen atoms of Mo?O bonds on the (010) basal plane resemble oxygen anion radicals and act as active sites for the adsorption and activation of benzyl alcohols by electrophilic attack. Such sites are indispensable for catalytic reactions since the blocking of these sites by electron acceptors, such as tetracyanoethylene (TCNE), can greatly decrease catalytic activity. This work represents a successful example of combining a heterogeneous catalysis study with nanomaterial synthesis.     

Rapid Ozone Decomposition over Water-activated Monolithic MoO3/Graphdiyne Nanowalls under High Humidity

Catalytic ozone (O₃) decomposition at high relative humidity (RH) remains a great challenge due to the catalysts poison and deactivation under high humidity. Here, we firstly elaborate the role of water activation and the corresponding mechanism of the promoted O₃ decomposition over the three-dimensional monolithic molybdenum oxide/graphdiyne (MoO₃/GDY) catalyst. The O₃ decomposition over MoO₃/GDY reaches up to 100 % under high humid condition (75 % RH) at room temperature, which is 4.0 times as high as that of dry conditions, significantly surpasses other carbon-based MoO₃ materials(≤7.1 %). The sp-hybridized carbon in GDY donates electrons to MoO₃ along the C−O−Mo bond, facilitating water activation to form hydroxyl species. As a result, hydroxyl species dissociated from water act as new active sites, promoting the adsorption of O₃ and the generation of new intermediate species (hydroxyl ⋅OH and superoxo ⋅O₂⁻), which significantly lowers the energy barriers of O₃ decomposition (0.57 eV lower than dry conditions).     

Local and Remote Charge‐Transfer‐Enhanced Raman Scattering on One‐Dimensional Transition‐Metal Oxides

The one‐dimensional (1D) transition‐metal oxide MoO₃ belt is synthesized and characterized with X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Charge‐transfer‐(CT) enhanced Raman scattering of 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (4‐MBA) on a 1D MoO₃ belt was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The chemical enhancement of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of 4‐MBA on the MoO₃ belt by CT is in the order of 10³. The SERS of 4‐MBA was investigated theoretically by using a quantum chemical method. The remote SERS of 4‐MBA along the 1D MoO₃ belt (the light excitation to one side of the MoO₃ belt, and the SERS spectrum is collected on the other side of the MoO₃ belt) is also shown experimentally, which provides potential applications of SERS. The incident polarization dependence of remote SERS spectra has also been investigated experimentally.     

Raman Studies on Species in Single and Mixed Solutions of Molybdate and Vanadate

Raman spectroscopy was applied to investigate the speciation in both single and mixed solutions of molybdate and vanadate at pH values from 10.0 to 1.0. Evidence was obtained for the difference of existing forms between these two elements. Vanadium mainly exists as (VO₃)_n^n- while Mo is MoO₄^2- in the pH range of 9.0-7.5. This difference is the theoretical basis for many available separation process. The species in the binary system was identified by comparing the Raman spectra with that in the single systems. Molybvanadates are formed below pH=6.5, which may partly be ascribed to the replacement of V atoms by Mo atoms in some V-O-V groups. Vanadium mainly exists as the decavanadate species in the pH range of 6.0-2.0. The predominant species of Mo are heteropolyanions having structural features of heptamolybdate rather than Mo₈O₂₆^4- and Mo₃₆O₁₁₂^8- which are the predominant Mo species in single solution at pH=2.0-1.0.     

A FTIR assessment of surface acidity and dispersion of surface species in titania and alumina-supported molybdena

Adsorption of pyridine on the MoO₃/TiO₂ and MoO₃/Al₂O₃ systems has been studied by FTIR spectroscopy, in order to identify surface acid sites existing in samples with different molybdena loadings. The results show that both Lewis and Brönsted surface acid sites exist, whatever the molybdena loading. The percentage of Brönsted sites is larger for loadings below the theoretical monolayer, and should correspond to bidimensional molybdenum oxides species, while for loadings above the monolayer these sites are associated with bulk MoO₃.     

Ultradeep Hydrodesulfurization of Dibenzothiophene (DBT) Derivatives over Mo-Sulfide Catalysts Supported on TiO2-Coated Alumina Composite

The present paper reviews in detail the different studies now being conducted by our research team concerning the ultradeep hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophene (DBT) derivatives over Mo/TiO₂ and Mo/TiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts. First, a detailed characterization of Mo/TiO₂ (P-25 Degussa, 50 m²/g) catalysts prepared by equilibrium adsorption technique shows that Mo- species are highly and uniformly dispersed on the surface of titania up to 6.6 wt% MoO₃ loading. Above this value, some aggregation of Mo occurs, leading to the formation of bulk MoO₃. Below 6.6 wt% MoO₃ loading, the Raman spectroscopy data of the calcined samples show that the supported Mo-species possess a highly distorted octahedral MoO₆ structure. TiO₂–Al₂O₃ composites were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using TiCl₄ as a precursor. Using several characterization techniques, we demonstrated that the support composite presents a high dispersion of TiO₂ over -Al₂O₃ without forming precipitates up to ca. 11 wt% loading. Moreover, the textural properties of the composite support are comparable to those of alumina. Under the present sulfidation conditions (673 K, 5%H₂S/95%H₂), Mo-species supported on TiO₂ are better sulfided than on alumina, as demonstrated using XPS. This can be attributed to the relatively lower interaction between Mo-species and titania. The state of sulfide species supported on the composite support can be considered as a transition state between TiO₂ and Al₂O₃. However, at relatively higher TiO₂ loadings (ca. 11 wt%), Mo/TiO₂–Al₂O₃ catalysts exhibit sulfidability similar to that of Mo/TiO₂. The HDS tests conducted in both the laboratory and in industry show that sulfide catalysts supported on TiO₂–Al₂O₃ (ca. 11 wt% TiO₂) are more active than those supported on TiO₂ or Al₂O₃.     

FT-IR and FT-FIR studies of vanadium,molybdenum and tungsten oxides supported on different carriers

In the far IR region at low molybdenum loadings, Mo-SiO₂ catalysts present a pseudomolybdate or a polymolybdate species, while bulk-like MoO₃ appears at loadings close to the geometrical monolayer coverage. W-SiO₂ and V-SiO₂ spectra show bands close to those observed on the corresponding bulk oxides.In the case of TiO₂, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ supported catalysts, a band is observed near 1000 cm^–1 which is assigned to the Mo=O stretching vibration of coordinatively unsaturated Mo ⁿ⁺ ions showing a stronger interaction with the support than one observed on silica.     

Molybdenum Carbide‐Oxide Heterostructures: In Situ Surface Reconfiguration toward Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

Heterostructured Mo₂C‐MoO_x on carbon cloth (Mo₂C‐MoO_x/CC), as a model of easily oxidized electrocatalysts under ambient conditions, is investigated to uncover surface reconfiguration during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Raman spectroscopy combined with electrochemical tests demonstrates that the Mo^VI oxides on the surface are in situ reduced to Mo^IV, accomplishing promoted HER in acidic condition. As indicated by density functional theoretical calculations, the in situ reduced surface with terminal Mo=O moieties can effectively bring the negative ΔG_H* on bare Mo₂C close to a thermodynamic neutral value, addressing difficult H* desorption toward fast HER kinetics. The optimized Mo₂C‐MoO_x/CC only requires a low overpotential (η₁₀) of 60 mV at ?10 mA cm^?2 in 1.0 m HClO₄, outperforming Mo₂C/CC and most non‐precious electrocatalysts. In situ surface reconfiguration are shown on W₂C‐WO_x, highlighting the significance to boost various metal‐carbides and to identify active sites.