Effect of Cu During Non-isothermal Hydrogen Reduction of $MoO_3$

The effect of Cu on the hydrogen reduction of $MoO_3$ powders was investigated by measuring the humidity change during a non-isothermal process of hydrogen reduction. The presence of Cu induced a shift in the reduction temperature and strongly affected the reduction processes of $MoO_3\rightarrowMo_4O_{11}\rightarrowMoO_2$, which comprised the contained chemical vapor transport of $MoO_x(OH)_2$. This study suggests that the surface of the Cu grains acts as a nucleation site for the reduction of $MoO_x(OH)_2$ to $MoO_2$ particles from $MoO_3$ or $Mo_4O_{11}$. Such an activated reduction process results in the deposition of Mo and $MoO_2$ particles on the surface of the Cu.