Kinetics of Molybdenum Trioxide Dissolution in the Alkaline Medium

Abstract

The paper presents experimental study results of the MoO3 powder samples dissolution kinetics in the aqueous ammonia solution at various pH concentrations and values. Molybdenum ions concentration in the filtrate samples was determined spectrophotometrically. Kinetic characteristics were obtained, and kinetic parameters (specific dissolution rate, reaction order with respect to the H+ ion) were calculated. It was established that the dissolution rate was increasing in the ammonia solution concentration range of 0.02--1.26 mol/l, and with the growing pH it passed through the maximum. Taking into account the acid-base equilibria constants, the dissolution process was simulated, and its stage-by-stage nature was established. Fractional reaction order with respect to the H+ ions calculated from the curves plotted in the α--t/t0.5 coordinates (affine transformation method) indicated the adsorption mechanism of dissolution. It was shown that the MoO3 dissolution proceeded with formation of the intermediate adsorption complexes. Due to the HMoO4- low concentration in the MoO3 concentration within the studied pH range by the surface-active particle, on which groups of ions were adsorbed, the MoO4- could be considered. The results obtained are an addition to the data possessed on the molybdenum oxide phase and other transitional metals behavior. They could be applied in the practical applications associated with dissolving molybdenum in the alkaline electrolytes