Three MoO3-pyrazine compounds with 2.16, 1.70 and 0.94 mmol of pyrazine per
gram. named here as MoP1. MoP2 and MoP3, respectively, were synthesized an
d characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravime
try, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. By comparing the X
-ray diffraction patterns of the pure oxide and compounds, it can be verifi
ed that the pyrazine molecules are not intercalated, since an increase of t
he interlayer space is not observed. Based on the X-ray and SEM data, it ca
n be verified that all compounds present some amount of non-reacted oxide.
Molybdenum oxide exhibits a single mass loss step in the TG curve due to th
e sublimation of the oxide, starting at 730 degreesC. On the other hand, th
e MoO3-pyrazine compounds exhibit mass loss percentage due to the organic m
oiety of 18%, 14% and 6%: for MoP1, MoP2 and MoP3 matrices, respectively, w
ith a maximum around 400 degreesC (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights
reserved.