The role of structural silanol groups of silica in the synthesis of molybdenum oxide systems

Grafted molybdenum chloride groups formed through the interaction of molybd enum pentachloride with silanol groups at the surface of a pyrogenic silica are hydrolyzed to form a deposited poly(molybdenum oxide) phase. A thermoe vacuation of the silica samples thus obtained results in a depolymerization and dispersion of the molybdenum oxide phase and in a binding of molybdenu m oxide with silanol groups reduced by hydrolysis. No reduction of molybden um ions occurs.