Influence of Time and Temperature on Directional Growth of MoO3

Two-dimensional microstructures of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) were synthesized by heptamolybdate tetrahydrate ammonium acidification, followed by calcination. A solution of the precursor compound heptamolybdate tetrahydrate ammonium acidified to pH 3,5 using glacial acetic acid followed by hydrothermal treatment for 150, 180 and 200 °C for 1, 6 and 12 hours. Then, the intermediate was calcined at 300 °C for varying time 6 and 12h to obtain MoO3. X-ray diffraction revealed that the crystals grew with crystalline structure corresponding to the orthorhombic phase of MoO3 (a-MoO3) as major phase, with a preferential growth direction along the planes (0K0). Raman spectroscopy and IR confirmed the formation of the characteristic modes of molybdenum trioxide for stage found. With Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was possible to observe the formation of nanoplates.