Formation and Catalysis of Mesoporous Nb–Mo Oxide Generated by the Self-assembly of Nanoparticles

Abstract Mesoporous solid acid catalyst composed of Nb–Mo oxide was prepared via a hydrothermal synthesis employing ammonium niobium oxalate and hexaammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate as the precursors. The assembly of fine particles with diameters of 20–34 nm was observed by field emission–scanning electron microscopy. The Nb–Mo oxide has mesopores with diameters of 1.6–2.0 nm. It was possible to tune size of the primary particles and diameter of the mesopores by changing Mo/Nb ratio. The Nb–Mo oxide exhibited high activity in Friedel–Crafts alkylation.