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Study on the formation process of MoO3/Fe2(MoO4)3 by mechanochemical synthesis and their catalytic performance in methanol to formaldehyde

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Abstract

Mechanochemical method has applied to the green preparation of iron-molybdenum catalyst efficiently, and their catalytic performance was evaluated by the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde. In order to investigate the formation process of iron-molybdenum catalyst based on mechanochemical method, various characterization techniques have been employed. Results indicate that iron-molybdenum catalyst could not be generated during ball milling process without calcining, and calcination is crucial step to regulate the ratio of MoO3 and Fe2(MoO4)3. For the formation of MoO3 and Fe2(MoO4)3 phase, 180 °C could be the key turning temperature point. Fe2(MoO4)3 and MoO3 phases are concurrently emerged when Mo/Fe atomic ratio exceeds 1.5. The aggregation of Fe2(MoO4)3 is severe with the increasing calcination temperature. Fe2(MoO4)3 is stable below 600 °C, while MoO3 phase could be subliming with the increasing temperature. The catalytic performance of iron-molybdenum catalyst has closely correlation with the phase compositions, which can be controlled by synthesis temperature and Mo/Fe molar ratio. The iron-molybdenum catalyst with Mo/Fe atomic ratio of 2.6 calcined at 500 °C for 4 h showed the best methanol conversion (100%) and formaldehyde yield (92.27%).

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Acknowledgements

We thank the financial supports from Natural Science Foundation Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous (2019D01C084). We thank Xinjiang University Institute of experimental center for material characterization and analysis. We also thank State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering at East China University of Science and Technology in where we were provided the chance for in situ XRD analysis.

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  1. Key Laboratory of Coal Clean Conversion and Chemical Engineering Process Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, 666 Shengli Road, Ürümqi, 830046, People’s Republic of China

    Xue Liu, Ling-tao Kong, Chao-fan Liu, Sheng-tao Xu, Dan-dan Zhang & Feng-yun Ma

  2. Xinjiang Markor Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd, No. 1, Nanyuan Road, Korla Economic and Technical Development Zone, Korla, 841000, People’s Republic of China

    Zheng-ping Lu, Ji-guang Sun & Jun Chen

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  1. Xue Liu
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Liu, X., Kong, Lt., Liu, Cf. et al. Study on the formation process of MoO3/Fe2(MoO4)3 by mechanochemical synthesis and their catalytic performance in methanol to formaldehyde. J Therm Anal Calorim 142, 1363–1376 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-020-09483-4

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