C. Bouchy et al., Microstructure and characterization of a highly selective catalyst for theisomerization of alkanes: A molybdenum oxycarbide, J CATALYSIS, 190(1), 2000, pp. 92-103
A molybdenum oxycarbide catalyst that is very active and selective for the
isomerization of n-alkanes has been characterized by means of diffraction t
echniques and simulations. The proposed structure is confirmed by transmiss
ion electron microscopy. An elemental analysis performed on the pure phase
prepared from a bronze precursor provides the stoichiometry of this new cat
alyst. Quantitative temperature-programmed oxidation measurements confirm t
he elemental composition. The stoichiometry of this new phase, MoO2.42C0.23
H0.78, shows an excess of light elements O, C, and H only possible because
of the presence of metal vacancies. A tentative explanation of its peculiar
catalytic properties is deduced from these structural and chemical feature
s. (C) 2000 Academic Press.