Improvement in catalytic activity of molybdenum oxide by incorporation of Ni(II) ions

Abstract

The electrical conductivity (σ) measurements of various molybdena samples containing different mol % Ni²⁺ reveal an increase in σ when 2-propanol vapor is admitted in the gas feed. IR and XRD analysis indicate a solid state reaction between MoO₃ and NiO in different ratios around 500°C.  Molybdena containing 70 mol % Ni²⁺ shows the formation of NiMoO4 spinel. The catalytic activity of molybdena samples containing different mol % Ni²⁺, calcined at 500°C, has been investigated via the catalytic decomposition of 2-propanol. It is observed that % conversion or the selectivity of the catalysts, for the dehydration of 2-propanol td propylene, increases with increase in Ni²⁺ content of molybdena catalysts up to 70 mol % Ni²⁺. A suitable mechanism has been proposed to explain the observed results.