Some structural features of MoO3-1,10-phenanthroline intercalation compounds

Three MoO3-1,10-phenanthroline intercalation compounds were synthesized at room temperature, by suspending alpha-MoO3 in a water-ethanol solution of 1,10-phenanthroline. The obtained hybrid matrices were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. Based on X-ray diffraction data, can be verified that ate two possible orientations of 1,10-phenanthroline into MoO3 interlayer space: an orientation to allow the interaction of the nitrogen atoms with the acidic Lewis sites on the oxide surface (d = 1.10 nm), and another orientation to allow the interaction of the pi electrons with such sites (d = 0.76 nm). The SEM micrographs show that as the 1,10-phenanthroline total amount is increased, there is a progressive exfoliation of the oxide grains, resulting in the total disruption of the initial platy morphology. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.