Facile Synthesis of Stable MO 2 N Nanobelts with High Catalytic Activity for Ammonia Decomposition

Summary of main observation and conclusion In the present work, high quality γ‐Mo 2 N catalysts for ammonia decomposition were successfully synthesized via temperature programmed nitridation of α‐MoO 3 nanobelts. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of MoO 3 precursors were obtained by using the orthogonal experimental method. The MoO 3 precursors and the corresponding fresh and used Mo 2 N catalysts were characterized by various characterization techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and N 2 adsorption‐desorption. Furthermore, temperature‐ programmed desorption by N 2 or NH 3 and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis were performed to better understand the chemical properties of Mo 2 N catalysts. The results revealed that Mo 2 N catalyst has good NH 3 adsorption ability and facilitates the dissociation adsorption of N 2 . Moreover, the morphology and structure of Mo 2 N catalysts well maintained after the reaction. Therefore, among the three transition metal nitrides (Mo 2 N, W 2 N and VN) and some Mo‐based catalysts previously reported, Mo 2 N catalysts showed very high activity and stability. Nearly 94% conversion of NH 3 could be reached at 550°C with the gas hourly space velocity of 22000 cm 3 ∙g cat –1 ∙h –1 and no obvious deactivation was observed during a 72 h test.