Improvement in reactivity, reproducibility and stability of Fe–Mo catalysts by wet mixing

Two series of Fe–Mo catalysts were prepared using conventional mixing and wet mixing, respectively. Their catalyst behaviors in the oxidation reaction of methanol to formaldehyde were determined. The reaction result shows that wet mixing provided catalysts with higher reactivity and better reproducibility. Comparative FT-IR spectra of the two series catalysts treated at various temperatures indicated that the thermal stability of the catalyst prepared by wet mixing was also better.