Reduction Behaviour of WO<sub>3</sub> to W under Carbon Monoxide Atmosphere

Abstract

The reduction behaviour of tungsten oxide has been studied by using temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The reduction behavior were examine by nonisothermal reduction up to 900 oC then continued with isothermal reduction at 900 oC for 45 min time under (40% v/v) carbon monoxide in nitrogen (CO in N2) atmosphere. The TPR signal clearly shows one peak attributed to formation of suboxide W18O49 (more) and WO2 (less) observed at 80 min. The reduction product was investigated by varying the holding reaction time. Based on the characterization of the reduction products by using XRD, it was found that, nonisothermal reduction of WO3 at temperature 900 oC partially converted to some W18O49 and WO2 phases. However, after increased the reaction holding time for 45 min, WO3 phases disappeared and converted to WO2 and W metal phases. It is obviously shows that by hold the reduction time could improve the reducibility of the sample oxide. Furthermore, it is suggested that reduction by using CO as reducing agent follows the consecutives steps WO3 → WO2.92 → W18O49 → WO2 → W.