Unsupported alkali metal-promoted molybdenum carbide catalysts

Abstract

An unsupported bulk alkali-promoted molybdenum carbide (A-Mo2C) catalyst for use in the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction, and a method of making the same, is presented. In embodiments, a method for forming an unsupported bulk molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) catalyst promoted with an alkali earth metal includes: generating phase pure molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) by calcining a molybdate precursor salt; producing non-passivated Mo2C from carburization of the phase pure MoO3; passivating the non-passivated Mo2C to form passivated Mo2C; and producing an active unsupported alkali metal (A) promoted Mo2C (A-Mo2C) catalyst from the passivated Mo2C and an alkali metal carbonate (A-CO3).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.