In Situ X-ray Diffraction Studies on the Production Process of Molybdenum.

During the production of molybdenum, the first reduction step of molybdenum trioxide to molybdenum dioxide is crucial in directing important product properties like particle size and oxygen content. In this study, the influence of heating rate, hydrogen flow, and potassium content on the reduction of MoO 3 has been investigated via in situ X-ray powder diffraction. For low heating rates, a molybdenum bronze H x MoO 3 could be confirmed as an intermediate, while γ-Mo 4 O 11 can only be observed at high heating rates. Molybdenum formation at temperatures as low as 873 K can be controlled via hydrogen flow. The potassium content of reactants has a direct influence on the amount of Mo 4 O 11 formed during the reaction as well as rates of Mo 4 O 11 and MoO 2 formation.