MOLYBDENUM OXYCHLORIDE WITH IMPROVED BULK DENSITY

1 . Molybdenum oxychloride consolidated masses, comprising:

molybdenum oxychloride crystals; and

less than 10 wt % binder;

wherein the consolidated masses have a bulk density greater than 0.85 g/cc.

2 . The consolidated masses of claim 1 , wherein at least 90% of the crystals have an average cross body dimension less than 5 mm.

3 . The consolidated masses of claim 1 , wherein the consolidated masses comprise greater than 95 wt % molybdenum oxychloride crystals.

4 . The consolidated masses of claim 1 , wherein the consolidated masses have a relative density greater than 75%.

5 . The consolidated masses of claim 1 , wherein the consolidated masses have a uniformity of heat transfer across the individual consolidated masses less than ±10%.

6 . The consolidated masses of claim 1 , wherein the crystals have a surface area greater than 0.0005 cm 2 /g.

7 . The consolidated masses of claim 1 , wherein the consolidated masses have an average cross body dimension greater than 1 mm.

8 . The consolidated masses of claim 1 , comprising less than 5 wt % of binder comprising ceramic binders, celluloses, or hydroxyalkyl celluloses, or mixtures thereof.

9 . A molybdenum oxychloride composition comprising:

molybdenum oxychloride crystals; and

less than 10% binder;

wherein the molybdenum oxychloride composition has a bulk density greater than 0.75 g/cc.

10 . The composition of claim 9 , wherein at least 90% of the crystals have an average cross body dimension less than 1 mm.

11 . The composition of claim 9 , wherein the molybdenum oxychloride composition comprises greater than 95 wt % molybdenum oxychloride crystals.

12 . The composition of claim 9 , wherein the molybdenum oxychloride composition has a tap density greater than 0.5 g/cc, as measured by ASTM B527-2006.

13 . The composition of claim 9 , wherein the molybdenum oxychloride comprises crystals, and wherein the crystals have a surface area greater than 0.0005 cm 2 /g.

14 . A process for producing molybdenum oxychloride consolidated masses, comprising:

providing a molybdenum oxychloride composition having a bulk density greater than 0.75 g/cc and comprising:

molybdenum oxychloride crystals; and

less than 10% binder; and

pressing the molybdenum oxychloride composition to form the consolidated masses; wherein the consolidated masses have a bulk density greater than 1.4 g/cc.

15 . The process of claim 14 , wherein the pressing comprises:

filling the molybdenum oxychloride composition into a mold and

pressurizing the molded molybdenum oxychloride composition to form the consolidated masses.

16 . The process of claim 15 , wherein the pressurizing is performed at a pressure less than 1000 MPa.

17 . The process of claim 14 , wherein the providing comprises:

synthesizing an intermediate molybdenum oxychloride composition comprising:

molybdenum oxychloride crystals; and

less than 10% binder;

wherein the intermediate molybdenum oxychloride composition comprises crystals and has a bulk density less than 0.75 g/cc; and

separating the intermediate molybdenum oxychloride composition to form the molybdenum oxychloride composition.