Synthesis and characterization of novel nanoscopic molybdenum oxide fibers

A molybdenum oxide with high aspect ratio has been synthesized by a templat e-directed process. The reaction of molybdic acid and primary amines with l ong alkyl chains, followed by hydrothermal treatment, led to a lamellar mol ybdenum oxide-amine composite. The subsequent removal of the intercalated a mines with nitric acid yielded a pure molybdenum oxide phase with a fibrous morphology. According to X-ray powder diffraction and chemical analysis, t hese fibers crystallize with the structure of alpha -MoO3.H2O. Electron mic roscopy investigations have revealed that the fibers are up to 15 mum long and that their diameters generally range from 50 to 150 nm. The presented s ynthesis approach uses a cheap and air-stable precursor and, thus, provides an advantageous access to gram quantities of this novel anisotropic nanoma terial.