Synthesis of well-ordered lamellar mesoporous molybdenum oxide

Well-ordered lamellar mesoporous molybdenum(V/VI) oxides were prepared using gemini surfactant [C14H29N+(CH3)2-(CH2)2-N+(CH3)2-C14H29]·2Br− (denoted C14-2-14) as the structure-directing agent and ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O as the precursor. The samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and N2 adsorption–desorption. A possible arrangement of gemini surfactant in the interlayer space of molybdenum oxide was proposed. Gemini surfactant possessed better self-assembly ability than monovalent surfactant to form well-ordered mesostructures in mild conditions. The lamellar mesopore structure is retained after removal of the gemini surfactant by soxhlet extraction. The cheap and air-stable precursor provided an advantageous access to synthesize mesoporous transition metal oxides.