Purification growth of orthorhombic molybdenum trioxide crystals from alkali-metal-containing Mo-sources

Abstract

Transparent and colourless α-MoO3 crystal platelets have been prepared in vapour phase from various alkali-metal-containing molybdenum sources. With XRD technique, it is evident that the α-MoO3 is the only crystalline phase in the as-grown crystals. Furthermore, FTIR and elemental analysis results reveal that alkali metals are not intercalated in the layered crystal lattice of α-MoO3. Factors that lead to the success of this purification growth are identified. In view of its simplicity, this method can be efficiently used for laboratory preparation of high quality α-MoO3 crystals from low-grade molybdenum sources.