Environmental TEM Study of NiMoO₄ Nanorods Undergoing Thermal Reduction: Observing the Formation of a Ni–Mo Alloy@oxide Core-shell Catalyst

Catalyst composites containing nickel and molybdenum are widely used in hydrotreating processes and in electrocatalytic reactions associated with water electrolysis (e.g., for hydrogen fuel or chemical feedstocks) These types of composites can be synthesized from mixed oxide precursors that are broadly classified as nickel molybdates (i.e., NiMoO4), but in fact comprise a wide range of compositions and crystal structures.[4] Moreover, the way that these oxides are generated and processed (e.g., thermal treatments, deposition on catalyst supports) can substantially impact their ultimate catalytic activity.