Novel Iron Oxide- Molybdate Aerogels: Synthesis and Characterization of Structure with Intent to Define Industrial Purposes

The synthesis of iron oxide molybdate aerogels, FeMoO4, by a sol-gel process yielded unique aerogels with a hollow, spherical structure. The structure on the surface of these aerogels was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). After calcining the FeMoO4 aerogels at 500 and 700°C, each aerogel demonstrated an XRD pattern of Fe2(MoO4)3. These materials were evaluated as catalysts for the isomerization of 1-butene to cis- and trans-2-butene and demonstrated poor acidic catalytic ability. Since iron-molybdenum materials are used in the redox reaction of methanol to formaldehyde, iron oxide molybdate aerogels should be of value in this reaction and this is work planned in the near future.