What is molybdenum oxide used for?

Molybdenum oxide, one of the main oxides of molybdenum, has a wide range of applications in industry and metallurgy.  

First of all, we must understand the basic properties of molybdenum oxide.  

It is extremely weakly oxidized and can be reduced at high temperatures by hydrogen, carbon and aluminum. It is used as an analytical reagent and for the preparation of molybdenum alloys and salts. It is obtained by burning molybdenum in air or roasting molybdic acid.  

Solubility of molybdenum oxide: Almost insoluble in water. Easily soluble in excess of alkali to form molybdate. Soluble in concentrated nitric acid and concentrated hydrochloric acid.

Uses of molybdenum oxide

Used as a catalyst in petroleum.

It is also used in the manufacture of metallic molybdenum, enamel pigments and pharmaceuticals.

Also used as a highly effective smoke suppressant. Molybdenum compounds mixed with copper oxide, molybdenum oxide, zinc oxide, etc. has a synergistic effect, and its smoke suppression effect is better than the effect of MoO3 alone. Domestic flame retardant smoke suppressant is mostly a mixture of molybdenum oxide and ammonium molybdate.

Used for the detection of blood sugar, protein, alkaloids, arsenic, phenol and spectroscopic analysis reagents.

Properties of molybdenum oxide

White crystalline powder.

Density: 4.6961g/cm3.

Melting point: 795°C.

Boiling point: 1155℃.

Soluble in ammonia, alkali solution, hydrofluoric acid, concentrated sulfuric acid, insoluble in water. Very stable in air, pass into dry hydrogen chloride and sublimate to light yellow needle-like crystals by heating. Reacts violently with halogen compounds such as bromine pentafluoride and chlorine trifluoride. Decomposes under high heat and emits toxic fumes.

Production method of molybdenum oxide

Ammonium molybdate thermal decomposition method: Crush molybdenum oxide concentrate to 60-80 mesh, put it into roaster and roast it at 500-550℃, leach it with ammonia, get ammonium molybdate solution after removing impurities, heat it to 40-45℃, add nitric acid under stirring and neutralize it to pH-1.5, generate ammonium octamolybdate precipitate, filter it, centrifuge it and dehydrate it, dissolve it in ammonia at 70-80℃, then evaporate and concentrate it, get sec The ammonium molybdate is then thermally decomposed at 550～600℃ to obtain finished molybdenum trioxide.

Safety of molybdenum oxide

Molybdenum trioxide and aluminate are both toxic, while molybdenum metal and molybdenum disulfide are less toxic. Molybdenum poisoning causes arthritis and polyarthralgia, hypotension, unstable blood pressure, nervous system dysfunction, and disorders of metabolic processes. The maximum permissible aerosol concentration of the soluble compounds of aluminum is 2mg/m3 and the insoluble compounds of molybdenum is 6mg/m3. The workforce should be well protected. Store in a cool, ventilated warehouse. Keep away from fire and heat sources. Keep the container sealed. Keep the container sealed. It should be stored separately from halide and edible chemical materials. Pay attention to personal protection in packing and handling operations.