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Title: An atomic force microscopy study of the morphological evolution of the MoO{sub 3} (010) surface during reduction reactions

Journal Article · · Journal of Catalysis
;  [1]
  1. Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the nanometerscale structural evolution of the MoO{sub 3} (010) surface during reaction with hydrogen at 400 C. Two primary surface modifications were identified. First, water vapor, when present in the reactor either as an impurity or as an oxidation product, accelerates the volatilization of MoO{sub 3} and leads to the formation of surface voids. The presence of these voids increases the density of (100) and (h01)-type surface sites on the basal planes. Second, oxygen removal leads to the formation of crystallographic shear plans. The intersection of these defects with the (010) surface creates 2 {angstrom} high steps along (001) and their presence indicates that the surface vacancy concentration has reached an upper limit. The mechanisms by which these structural changes might influence the reactivity of molybdenum oxide catalysts are discussed. 31 refs., 6 figs.

OSTI ID:
508454
Journal Information:
Journal of Catalysis, Vol. 163, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: 15 Sep 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English