Formation of Molybdenum Blue Particles via the Reduction of a Molybdate Solution with Glucose

Abstract

Molybdenum blue dispersions are synthesized via the reduction of molybdate with glucose in an acidic medium. Spectrophotometry and photon correlation spectroscopy show that, depending on the reducing agent/molybdate ratio and the pH value, both colored complex Mo compounds and dispersed phase particles (large molybdenum oxide clusters) can form. It is shown that particles form in the 1.4–2.2 range of the dispersion medium’s pH and ceases 21 days after synthesis (at room temperature).