Influence of metal oxide modification of alumina on the dispersion and activity of vanadia catalysts

Abstract

Alumina was modified with 10% MOx (MOx = TiO2, ZrO2, La2O3 or MgO) prior to its impregnation with 12 wt% vanadia. The catalysts were characterised by x-ray diffraction (XRD), electron spin resonance (ESR) and oxygen chemisorption. The activities of the catalysts were determined by methanol partial oxidation and their acid-base properties were evaluated for the decomposition of isopropanol. Metal oxide modification is found to influence significantly the surface coverage and the methanol partial oxidation activity of vanadia supported on alumina. With proper MOx modification enhanced reducibility of vanadia could be attained, which in turn makes the partial oxidation more facile.