On reduction behavior of Al2(WO4)3: A combined powder XRD and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) studies

In this manuscript, we report the reduction behavior of Al2(WO4)3 as observed from the temperature programmed reduction (TPR) studies. The title compound crystallizes in orthorhombic lattice with unit cell parameters: 12.6011(2), 9.0622(2), 9.1427(2) Å and V=1044.03(3) (Å)3, Z=4 (space group: Pbcn). This compound can be reduced by hydrogen to AlWO4 above 800 °C, which is otherwise prepared under high pressure and high temperature and thus indicates an alternate route for the synthesis of AlWO4 at ambient pressure. On prolonged reduction or increasing the temperature of reduction metallic tungsten is observed. The details of the results of the TPR studies are discussed.