OXIDATION AND REDUCTION OF MOO2-MOO3 STUDIED BY INFRARED-EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY

A sample preparation technique was developed for the study of infrared emission spectroscopy. The emission spectrum of MoO//3 showed peaks at 987 and 925 cm** minus **1 in the temperature range of 185 through 505 degree C. Peak intensities were proportional to the sample weight. The background intensity in the emission spectrum was measured at 1050 cm** minus **1 and it was also proportional to the sample weight. In order to apply emission spectroscopy to the study of reaction kinetics, the reduction of MoO//3 by H//2 and the oxidation of MoO//2 by O//2 were chosen as model reactions. These reactions were studied at 425 to 485 degree C and the activation energy for the reduction of MoO//3 was 43 kcal/mol and that for the oxidation of oO//2 was 38 kcal/mol. The activation energy for the formation of the terminal Mo equals O bond is however, 71. 2 kcal/mol. Molybdenum oxides are important as oxidation catalysts.