1. Paints, Coatings & Adhesives

• Corrosion Inhibitor in Metal Coatings: MoO₃ is incorporated in anticorrosive primers and paints to protect metals from oxidation, particularly under high-heat or acidic conditions.
• Pigment Component: Used as a component of molybdate orange pigments, blended with lead chromate for bright, durable industrial colors.

2. Metal Treatment

• Precursor to Molybdenum Metal: MoO₃ is reduced to metallic molybdenum, which is then used in alloying with steel and superalloys to enhance strength, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature performance.
• Additive in Stainless and Tool Steel Production: Adds hardness, wear resistance, and tensile strength to steel used in cutting tools, aircraft parts, and turbine blades.

3. Performance Chemicals

• Intermediate for Molybdenum Compounds: MoO₃ is used to produce various molybdenum salts (e.g., sodium molybdate, ammonium molybdate) for use in agriculture, water treatment, and analytical chemistry.
• Reagent in Analytical Chemistry: Utilized in the detection and quantification of phosphates and silicates, forming colored complexes measurable via spectrophotometry.

4. Agrochemicals

• Source of Molybdenum in Micronutrient Fertilizers: Provides essential molybdenum for nitrogen fixation in legumes and other crops. Used in foliar sprays and soil-applied fertilizers.

5. Energy 

• Cathode Material in Lithium-Ion Batteries: MoO₃ is explored as a high-capacity cathode material due to its layered structure, which allows lithium intercalation with high stability.
• Supercapacitor Electrode Material: Its excellent redox activity and conductivity make it suitable for supercapacitor electrodes in energy storage systems.