It is used for ceramics, decorating, electroplating, fixing of metals, fertilizers, photography, and as a negative stain in electron microscopy. It is also used in the manufacture of molybdenum. It is a useful reagent for detecting and determining phosphates, arsenates, lead and some alkaloids. It is useful in the preparation of catalysts for desulfurization and dehydrogenation reactions. Ammonium molybdate has been reported to control polycondensation reactions and decrease shrinkage values of metakaolin-based geopolymers.
