Initial stages of the process of structure formation of metal hydroxides

Based on the data for the initial stage of aging of transition metal hydroxides (M = V, Nb, Ta, Mo, etc), obtained from the studies of nitrogen fixation, and exact solution of model kinetic equation for the association of aqua and hydroxo complexes, a general concept on the structure formation of primary amorphous particles of metal hydroxides have been proposed. A conclusion is drawn that the primary particles consist of chain hydroxo polymers which contain ca. 10 links and are chemically bridged to each other by means of μ3-OH groups. 20 refs.; 3 figs