A Monte Carlo approach to describe the reduction profiles of bidimensional MoOx structures grown on an alumina sustrate

the reducibility of molybdenum oxide supported on γ-al2o3 was studied by temperature programmed reduction (tpr). interpretation of the reduction profiles was successfully achieved by applying the monte carlo method and taking into account the presence of different molybdenum species on the support surface. seven reactions were assumed to take place along the reduction process. the first hydrogen consumption peak was assigned to the reduction of mo6+ ions present as well-dispersed polymeric species into mo+5, while the second one accounts for the reduction not of the mo5+ ions generated in the first reduction into mo+4 but also for the reduction of monomeric mo6+species.