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Innovative In-situ Carbonization Method Enhances Molybdenum Carbide Catalysts
The production of molybdenum carbide catalysts is often hindered by the necessity of high-temperature synthesis, which can result in passivation in oxygen-rich environments. Consequently, there is a pressing need for alternative methods to create molybdenum carbide at lower temperatures to enhance the density of active surface sites.
A recent study carried out by researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), introduces a breakthrough approach in the synthesis of molybdenum carbide. This work, led by Prof. Bao Xinhe and Prof. Fu Qiang, is detailed in their publication in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
The team discovered that incorporating intercalated hydrogen into molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) promotes its reduction, facilitating in-situ carburization at a relatively low temperature of 500 °C during the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction. This process results in the formation of highly active molybdenum carbide, which significantly enhances catalytic activity in RWGS reactions.
Furthermore, the study highlights the influence of both the surface characteristics of the catalysts and the conditions of the reaction environment on the carbonization process. It was found that a lower oxygen-to-molybdenum (O/Mo) ratio favors the carbonization, while increased CO2 conversion rates and higher partial pressures of CO further optimize the process.
Additionally, the researchers emphasized that the carbonization not only boosts the creation of the molybdenum carbide but also enhances the adsorption and activation of carbon dioxide (CO2), thereby improving the overall activity of the RWGS reaction.
This innovative in-situ carburization technique opens new avenues for the synthesis of metal carbides under carbon-rich reaction conditions. Prof. Fu noted the importance of understanding the catalyst’s structural evolution during the reaction, suggesting that strategic control over these processes can lead to enhanced catalytic performance.
More information: Xiangze Du et al, In‐Situ Dynamic Carburization of Mo Oxide with Unprecedented High CO Formation Rate in Reverse Water‐Gas Shift Reaction, Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2024). DOI: 10.1002/anie.202411761
Citation: Researchers reveal in-situ dynamic carbonization of Mo oxide in reverse water-gas shift reaction (2024, September 12) retrieved 12 September 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-09-reveal-situ-dynamic-carbonization-mo.html
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