Synthesis of One-Dimensional Molybdenum Trioxide Structures and Influence of Aqueous Sucrose Solution on Hydrothermal Treatment of the Structures

Abstract

One-dimensional layered α-МоО₃ structures have been synthesized via hydrothermal treatment of peroxo molybdenum complexes. Treatment of the structures in aqueous sucrose solutions under hydrothermal conditions after drying at 80°C has been shown to cause partial reduction of their surface. The reduction process is accompanied by a change in Mo–O bond length as a consequence of distortion of the MoO₆ octahedra. Local supersaturation with reduction products in aqueous solution under hydrothermal conditions leads to the formation of new crystallization centers and growth of dumbbell-shaped particles. The forming nanostructured α-МоО₃/MoO₂ two-phase material, with two morphological species of particles, contains no carbon. Such a strategy for designing one-dimensional α-МоО₃ structures can be aimed at monitoring electrochemical degradation of high-capacity electrodes and controlling the associated deformation dynamics.