Abstract: The pure phases of alkaline earth molybdates MMoO₄, where M=Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba, were synthesized via the calcination of the related citrato oxomolybdate complexes. The mixed metal oxides can be highly dispersed at the atomic level due to the existence of uniform citrato oxomolybdenum precursors in definite composition. The complexing effect helps to produce the fine-grained oxides with particle size in the ultrafine scale(<100 nm) at heat-treatment temperatures below 500 ℃. The structures of the precursor complexes and the finally heat-treated particles were studied by means of IR, XRD, DSC, DTA and TG techniques. The morphologies of the particles were observed by using the SEM technique. The average particle sizes were calculated to be in the range of 30_50 nm based on X-ray diffraction line-broadening and SEM images, indicating the poor conglomeration of crystallite at low temperatures.

Key words: Alkaline earth molybdate, Citrate complexes, Pechini process, Catalyst, Thermal decomposition