In situ and ex situ XANES study of nanodispersed Mo species in zeolites used in fine chemistry catalysis

Mo K-edge XANES experiments on Mo-containing zeolites at low Mo loading (1 and 2 wt% of Mo on H-ZSM-11, H-BETA and H-ZSM-5 catalysts), active in fine chemistry reactions, were performed ex situ as function of sample calcination temperature in air (in the range 773-973 K) or in situ at 873 and 973K under N₂ flow. The results showed a 4-fold oxygen coordination for the incorporated Mo species in the activated (dehydrated) state. Combining these results with additional data evidences an almost total Mo exchange inside the zeolite channels.