Characterization of metal oxide and morphology of CuMo/mordenite

The metal phase-type is one of the determinants of hydrotreating catalyst activity. Therefore, analysis of the presence of metals and metal oxides phases is an interesting matter to study. In this study, CuMo/mordenite was prepared with various Cu/Mo ratios. The loaded Cu/Mo ratio were 0/4.35; 0.52/4.35; 1.05/4.35; 1.58/4.35; and 2.10/4.35 (wt/wt) namely CuMo/Mor-1, CuMo/Mor-2, CuMo/Mor-3, CuMo/Mor-4 and CuMo/Mor-5, respectively. The analysis results by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy indicated that the Cu and Mo metals were successfully impregnated on mordenite. Furthermore, analysis of the metal phase used X-Ray Diffraction, followed by refinement using the Le Bail method with Rietica software. The results of the improved analysis denoted that the metal phases of CuMo/mordenite were Cu (ICSD #43493), Mo (ICSD #41513) and CuMoO4 (ICSD #39439). The morphology of the CuMo/mordenite was observed by the Scanning Electron Microscope completed with EDX (Energy Dispersive X-Ray). The presence of metals did not appear morphologically but detected by EDX.