Molybdenum Oxide Nitrides of the Mo2(O,N,□)5 Type: On the Way to Mo2O5.

Blue-colored molybdenum oxide nitrides of the Mo2(O,N,□)5 type were synthesized by direct nitridation of commercially available molybdenum trioxide with a mixture of gaseous ammonia and oxygen. Chemical composition, crystal structure, and stability of the obtained and hitherto unknown compounds are studied extensively. The average oxidation state of +5 for molybdenum is proven by Mo K near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy; the magnetic behavior is in agreement with compounds exhibiting MoVO6 units. The new materials are stable up to ∼773 K in an inert gas atmosphere. At higher temperatures, decomposition is observed. X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electron diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveal the structure to be related to VNb9O24.9-type phases, however, with severe disorder hampering full structure determination. Still, the results demonstrate the possibility of a future synthesis of the potential binary oxide Mo2O5. On the basis of these findings, a tentative suggestion on the crystal structure of the potential compound Mo2O5, backed by electronic-structure and phonon calculations from first principles, is given.

Understanding the role of gold nanoparticles in enhancing the catalytic activity of manganese oxides in water oxidation reactions.

The Earth-abundant and inexpensive manganese oxides (MnOx) have emerged as an intriguing type of catalysts for the water oxidation reaction. However, the overall turnover frequencies of MnOx catalysts are still much lower than that of nanostructured IrO2 and RuO2 catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate that doping MnOx polymorphs with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can result in a strong enhancement of catalytic activity for the water oxidation reaction. It is observed that, for the first time, the catalytic activity of MnOx/AuNPs catalysts correlates strongly with the initial valence of the Mn centers. By promoting the formation of Mn(3+) species, a small amount of AuNPs (<5%) in α-MnO2/AuNP catalysts significantly improved the catalytic activity up to 8.2 times in the photochemical and 6 times in the electrochemical system, compared with the activity of pure α-MnO2.

Performance improvement of nanocatalysts by promoter-induced defects in the support material: methanol synthesis over Cu/ZnO:Al.

Addition of small amounts of promoters to solid catalysts can cause pronounced improvement in the catalytic properties. For the complex catalysts employed in industrial processes, the fate and mode of operation of promoters is often not well understood, which hinders a more rational optimization of these important materials. Herein we show for the example of the industrial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst for methanol synthesis how structure-performance relationships can deliver such insights and shed light on the role of the Al promoter in this system. We were able to discriminate a structural effect and an electronic promoting effect, identify the relevant Al species as a dopant in ZnO, and determine the optimal Al content of improved Cu/ZnO:Al catalysts. By analogy to Ga- and Cr-promoted samples, we conclude that there is a general effect of promoter-induced defects in ZnO on the metal-support interactions and propose the relevance of this promotion mechanism for other metal/oxide catalysts also.

Influence of Calcination Conditions on Structural and Solid-State Kinetic Properties of Iron Oxidic Species Supported on SBA-15.

Iron oxidic species supported on silica SBA-15 were synthesized with various iron loadings using two different FeIII precursors. The effect of varying powder layer thickness during calcination on structural and solid-state kinetic properties of FexOy/SBA-15 samples was investigated. Calcination was conducted in thin (0.3 cm) or thick (1.3 cm) powder layer. Structural characterization of resulting FexOy/SBA-15 samples was performed by nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction, and DR-UV/Vis spectroscopy. Thick powder layer during calcination induced an increased species size independent of the precursor. However, a significantly more pronounced influence of calcination mode on species size was observed for the FeIII nitrate precursor compared to the FeIII citrate precursor. Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) experiments revealed distinct differences in reducibility and reduction mechanism dependent on calcination mode. Thick layer calcination of the samples obtained from FeIII nitrate precursor resulted in more pronounced changes in TPR profiles compared to samples obtained from FeIII citrate precursor. TPR traces were analyzed by model-dependent Coats-Redfern method and model-independent Kissinger method. Differences in solid-state kinetic properties of FexOy/SBA-15 samples dependent on powder layer thickness during calcination correlated with differences in iron oxidic species size.

Influence of Adding Molybdenum on Structure and Performance of FexOy/SBA-15 Catalysts in Selective Oxidation of Propene.

Mixed iron and molybdenum oxide catalysts supported on nanostructured silica, SBA-15, were synthesized with various Mo/Fe atomic ratios ranging from 0.07/1.0 to 0.57/1.0. Structural characterization of as-prepared MoxOy_FexOy/SBA-15 samples was performed by nitrogen physisorption, X-ray diffraction, and DR-UV-Vis spectroscopy. Adding molybdenum resulted in a pronounced dispersion effect on supported iron oxidic species. Increasing atomic ratio up to 0.21Mo/1.0Fe was accompanied by decreasing species sizes. Strong interactions between iron and molybdenum during the synthesis resulted in the formation of Fe-O-Mo structure units, possibly Fe2(MoO4)3-like species. Reducibility of MoxOy_FexOy/SBA-15 catalysts was investigated by temperature-programmed reduction experiments with hydrogen as reducing agent. The lower reducibility obtained when adding molybdenum was ascribed to both dispersion and electronic effect of molybdenum. Catalytic performance of MoxOy_FexOy/SBA-15 samples was studied in selective gas-phase oxidation of propene with O2 as oxidant. Adding molybdenum resulted in an increased acrolein selectivity and a decreased selectivity towards total oxidation products.

Structure and properties of molybdenum oxide nitrides as model systems for selective oxidation catalysts.

Molybdenum oxide nitride (denoted as Mo(O,N)3) was obtained by ammonolysis of α-MoO3 with gaseous ammonia. Electronic and geometric structure, reducibility, and conductivity of Mo(O,N)3 were investigated by XRD, XAS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and impedance measurements. Catalytic performance in selective propene oxidation was determined by online mass spectrometry und gas chromatography. Upon incorporation of nitrogen, Mo(O,N)3 maintained the characteristic layer structure of α-MoO3. XRD analysis showed an increased structural disorder in the layers while nitrogen is removed from the lattice of Mo(O,N)3 at temperatures above ~600 K. Compared to regular α-MoO3, Mo(O,N)3 exhibited a higher electronic and ionic conductivity and an onset of reduction in propene at lower temperatures. Surprisingly, α-MoO3 and Mo(O,N)3 exhibited no detectable differences in onset temperatures of propene oxidation and catalytic selectivity or activity. Apparently, the increased reducibility, oxygen mobility, and conductivity of Mo(O,N)3 compared to α-MoO3 had no effect on the catalytic behavior of the two catalysts. The results presented confirm the suitability of molybdenum oxide nitrides as model systems for studying bulk contributions to selective oxidation.

Structural characterization of vanadium oxide catalysts supported on nanostructured silica SBA-15 using X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

The local structure of vanadium oxide supported on nanostructured SiO2 (VxOy/SBA-15) was investigated by in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Because the number of potential parameters in XAS data analysis often exceeds the number of "independent" parameters, evaluating the reliability and significance of a particular fitting procedure is mandatory. The number of independent parameters (Nyquist) may not be sufficient. Hence, in addition to the number of independent parameters, a novel approach to evaluate the significance of structural fitting parameters in XAS data analysis is introduced. Three samples with different V loadings (i.e. 2.7 wt %, 5.4 wt %, and 10.8 wt %) were employed. Thermal treatment in air at 623 K resulted in characteristic structural changes of the V oxide species. Independent of the V loading, the local structure around V centers in dehydrated VxOy/SBA-15 corresponded to an ordered arrangement of adjacent V2O7 units. Moreover, the V2O7 units were found to persist under selective oxidation reaction conditions.

Cu/ZnO and Cu/ZrO2 interactions studied by contact angle measurement with TEM.

A technique of contact angle measurement was applied to the nano-scale oxide-supported metal particles. For Cu supported on ZnO and ZrO2 the angles were found to increase and the work of adhesion to decrease with increasing particle size. Such a trend is interpreted as an effect of negative contact line tension of 2.1 x 10(-9) J m(-1) and 1.0 x 10(-9) J m(-1) in the Cu/ZnO and Cu/ZrO2 system, correspondingly. For the small-sized Cu particles the apparent work of adhesion on ZnO support is higher than that on ZrO2.

The valence problem of Pd4Br4Te3.

Pd(4)Br(4)Te(3) was prepared from Pd, Te, and PdBr(2) at 700 K. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction to be triclinic, P$\bar 1$, Pearson symbol aP22; a=842.5(2), b=845.0(3), c=864.8(3) pm; alpha=82.55(3), beta=73.36(2), gamma=88.80(2) degrees ; Z=2. The Br and Te atoms are arranged according to the motif of cubic closest-packed spheres in which every 15th position is vacant; the Pd atoms occupy 8/15 of the octahedral voids. The symmetry relations with the packing of spheres are derived. Prominent structural units are hollow cuboctahedral [(PdBrTe)(6)] units, the Pd atoms are positioned near the centers of the square faces of the Br(6)Te(6) cuboctahedra; the cuboctahedra and double-octahedral Pd(2)Br(4)Te(6) units are connected to strands by sharing triangular Te(3) faces. The strands are condensed by common Br atoms into layered assemblies. Conspicuously close Te--Te contacts in the Te(3) triangles indicate attractive Te--Te interactions. The valence puzzle is resolved by the formula Pd(+II)(4)Br(-I)(4)Te(-4/3)(3). Positive Te--Te Mulliken orbital populations and the Pd--K, Br--K, and Te--L(III) XANES spectra of Pd(4)Br(4)Te(3) referenced to the spectra of PdBr(2), K(2)PdBr(6), PdTe, and PdTe(2) are in accord with attractive Te--Te interactions. The measured semiconducting and diamagnetic properties are compatible with the derived picture of chemical bonding in Pd(4)Br(4)Te(3).

Chemically induced fast solid-state transitions of omega-VOPO4 in vanadium phosphate catalysts.

Vanadium phosphates are important catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes, and commercial catalysts comprise a complex range of V4+ and V5+ phosphates. We used three complementary in situ characterization methodologies-powder x-ray diffraction and laser Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies-to show that the metastable phase omega-VOPO4 is very sensitive to many of the reactants and products of butane oxidation. A rapid transformation from omega-VOPO4 to delta-VOPO4 occurs on exposure to butane at the reaction temperature, and hence the metastable omega-VOPO4 may play a role in the formation of commercial catalysts.

In situ XANES study of Mn in promoted sulfated zirconia catalysts.

Mn-promoted sulfated zirconia catalysts (2 wt% Mn) were investigated in situ, during the catalyst activation, isomerization of n-butane, and subsequent re-activation, using X-ray absorption spectroscopy of the Mn K-edge. The average valence of Mn in the catalysts, as determined from the edge position, was found to change from either 2.65 or 2.77 in the calcined samples to about 2.5 during activation in He (703 K for 30 min). During the isomerization of n-butane (1% in He, 80 ml min-1, 0.5 g catalyst at 333 K), the average Mn valence did not change further. When the catalyst was activated in 50% O2 the average valence only decreased from about 2.78 to 2.72. In this case, the average valence during the isomerization reaction decreased at a nearly constant rate both during the induction of activity and deactivation of the catalyst. The data do not support a stoichiometric redox reaction involving the promoter as initiator of the isomerization. However, a higher Mn valence after activation was indicative of a higher maximum conversion. It is concluded that the promoter cations function through modification of the structure of the zirconia.

In situ investigations of structure-activity relationships in heteropolyoxomolybdates as partial oxidation catalysts.

The structural evolution of Keggin-type heteropolyoxomolybdates (HPOM) during thermal treatment in propene and in propene and oxygen in the temperature range from 300 to 773 K was investigated by in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) combined with mass spectrometry. During treatment in propene or hydrogen and at reaction temperatures above 673 K, the initially triclinic H(3)[PMo(12)O(40)].13 H(2)O is transformed quantitatively into a cubic HPOM (Pn$\bar 3$m, a=11.853 A) exhibiting a long-range structure similar to that of the corresponding cesium salts. The treatment described constitutes the first readily available preparation route for a cubic HPOM without alkali metal ions in the structure. For both H(3)[PMo(12)O(40)] and Cs(2)H[PMo(12)O(40)] migration of molybdenum from the Keggin ion onto interstitial sites is proposed to occur in propene or hydrogen at temperatures above about 573 K to give thermally stable, partially reduced lacunary Keggin ions. During activation in propene and oxygen the onset of catalytic activity of H(3)[PMo(12)O(40)] and Cs(2)H[PMo(12)O(40)] at about 573 K correlates with partial reduction of Mo and characteristic changes in the local structure of the Keggin ion. The structural changes observed indicate that, similar to the treatment of the HPOM in propene, migration of molybdenum from the Keggin ions onto interstitial sites and formation of lacunary Keggin ions take place. Moreover, the formation of these partially reduced lacunary Keggin ions appears to be a prerequisite for the material to become an active heterogeneous catalyst. Evidently, the undistorted Keggin ion in the as-prepared HPOM has to be regarded as a precursor of the active catalyst.

Dynamics of phase transformations and microstructure evolution in carbon-manganese steel arc welds using time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction.

Phase transformations that occur in both the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the fusion zone (FZ) of a carbon-manganese steel spot weld have been investigated using time-resolved X-ray diffraction (TRXRD) with time resolutions down to 50 ms. It is found that in both zones the gamma(f.c.c.) --> alpha(b.c.c.) transformation on cooling is twice as fast as the forward transformation of alpha --> gamma on heating. Profile analysis of the major Bragg reflections recorded in the TRXRD patterns reveals similarities and differences in the microstructural evolution with time in the HAZ and in the FZ. The latter undergoes melting and solidification in addition to solid-state transformations. With increasing temperature, the (110) d-spacing of the alpha phase prior to and during the alpha --> gamma transformation and the (111) d-spacing of the gamma phase just after the same transformation exhibit a decrease. The observed (and unusual) lattice contraction with temperature rise may be attributed to chemical effects, such as carbide precipitation in the alpha matrix, and/or mechanical effects due to stress relief. In the FZ, the gamma-Fe that forms has a preferential (200) texture on solidification of the liquid, whereas, on cooling in the HAZ, the gamma-Fe retains largely a (111) texture that is induced in the alpha --> gamma transformation on heating. On cooling in the HAZ, the width of the gamma(111) reflection increases initially, which is indicative of microstrain developing in the f.c.c. lattice, but decreases as expected, with a reduction of thermal disorder, on further cooling until the completion of the gamma --> alpha transformation. In the FZ, however, the microstrain in the gamma phase increases steadily on solidification and more rapidly for the duration of the gamma --> alpha transformation on further cooling. The final microstructure of the FZ is likely to consist of a single alpha phase dispersed in two morphological entities, whereas in the HAZ the alpha phase persists in one morphological entity in the final microstructure.