Beta Molybdenum Trioxide Powder for Sulfur-Reactive Precursors

Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available molybdenum trioxide powders with an α crystal structure have low reactivity with sulfur, leading to poor stability and the generation of toxic hydrogen sulfide when impurities are present, necessitating high purity to avoid decomposition.

Innovation Solution

A molybdenum trioxide powder with a β crystal structure, high purity (99.6% MoO3), small particle diameter (1 μm or less), and specific surface area (10-100 m2/g) is produced by vaporizing a molybdenum oxide precursor and cooling it in an air atmosphere, followed by calcination to enhance reactivity with sulfur.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If α crystal structure molybdenum trioxide is used, then storage stability is improved, but reactivity with sulfur deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidreactivity with sulfur

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the crystal structure parameter from α-type to β-type molybdenum trioxide. This parameter change fundamentally alters the material's properties: β-MoO3 has a different crystal lattice arrangement that provides active sites for sulfur reaction while maintaining adequate storage stability, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and reactivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent produces a composite powder system containing β-MoO3 primary particles with controlled size distribution (0.1-1 μm) and specific surface area (10-100 m2/g). The composite nature of the powder with controlled morphology and surface properties enables both sufficient storage stability and enhanced sulfur reactivity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If purity of molybdenum trioxide is increased, then purity of molybdenum sulfide is improved, but storage stability deteriorates due to impurity-derived sulfides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurity of molybdenum sulfideVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the crystal structure parameter from α-type to β-type molybdenum trioxide. This parameter change fundamentally alters the material's properties: β-MoO3 has a different crystal lattice arrangement that provides active sites for sulfur reaction while maintaining adequate storage stability, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and reactivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent produces a composite powder system containing β-MoO3 primary particles with controlled size distribution (0.1-1 μm) and specific surface area (10-100 m2/g). The composite nature of the powder with controlled morphology and surface properties enables both sufficient storage stability and enhanced sulfur reactivity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Area of stationary object

If particle diameter is decreased, then specific surface area is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific surface areaVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition during vaporization and condensation to control particle formation. By vaporizing molybdenum compound and condensing the vapor, β-MoO3 primary particles with diameter 0.1-1 μm are formed directly in the gas phase, achieving high specific surface area (10-100 m2/g) without complex mechanical size reduction processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical size reduction methods (crushing, grinding) with a chemical vapor deposition approach. The molybdenum compound is vaporized and then condensed to form fine particles directly, substituting mechanical processes with thermal and chemical processes that naturally produce the desired particle size and morphology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting molybdenum trioxide powder exhibits high reactivity with sulfur, producing high-purity molybdenum sulfide with improved storage stability and reduced impurity-derived sulfides, suitable as a precursor for molybdenum sulfide.

Implementation Method 1

vaporizing a molybdenum oxide precursor compound to form molybdenum trioxide vapor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

cooling the molybdenum trioxide vapor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

a powder obtained by cooling the molybdenum trioxide vapor is calcined again at a temperature of 100° C. to 320° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12497303B2Molybdenum trioxide powder and method for producing same

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 DIC CORP

AI summary

A molybdenum trioxide powder contains an aggregate of primary particles having a β crystal structure of molybdenum trioxide. The molybdenum trioxide powder has a MoO3 content ratio of 99.6% or more measured by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and has an average particle diameter of the primary particles of 1 μm or less. A method for producing the above molybdenum trioxide powder includes vaporizing a molybdenum oxide precursor compound to form molybdenum trioxide vapor, and cooling the molybdenum trioxide vapor.