In-situ UV-Raman study on soot combustion over TiO2 or ZrO2-supported vanadium oxide catalysts

UV-Raman spectroscopy was used to study the molecular structures of TiO₂ or ZrO₂-supported vanadium oxide catalysts. The real time reaction status of soot combustion over these catalysts was detected by in-situ UV-Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that TiO₂ undergoes a crystalline phase transformation from anatase to rutile phase with the increasing of reaction temperature. However, no obvious phase transformation process is observed for ZrO₂ support. The structures of supported vanadium oxides also depend on the V loading. The vanadium oxide species supported on TiO₂ or ZrO₂ attain monolayer saturation when V loading is equal to 4 (4 is the number of V atoms per 100 support metal ions). Interestingly, this loading ratio (V₄/TiO₂ and V₄/ZrO₂) gave the best catalytic activities for soot combustion reaction on both supports (TiO₂ and ZrO₂). The formation of surface oxygen complexes (SOC) is verified by in-situ UV Raman spectroscopy and the SOC mainly exist as carboxyl groups during soot combustion. The presence of NO in the reaction gas stream can promote the production of SOC. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20473053, 20773163 and 20525621), the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 2062020), and the 863 Program of China (Grant No. 2006AA06Z346)     

In-situ UV-Raman study on soot combustion over TiO_2 or ZrO_2-supported vanadium oxide catalysts

UV-Raman spectroscopy was used to study the molecular structures of TiO2 or ZrO2-supported vana-dium oxide catalysts.The real time reaction status of soot combustion over these catalysts was de-tected by in-situ UV-Raman spectroscopy.The results indicate that TiO2 undergoes a crystalline phase transformation from anatase to rutile phase with the increasing of reaction temperature.However,no obvious phase transformation process is observed for ZrO2 support.The structures of supported va-nadium oxides also depend on the V loading.The vanadium oxide species supported on TiO2 or ZrO2 attain monolayer saturation when V loading is equal to 4(4 is the number of V atoms per 100 support metal ions).Interestingly,this loading ratio(V4/TiO2 and V4/ZrO2) gave the best catalytic activities for soot combustion reaction on both supports(TiO2 and ZrO2).The formation of surface oxygen com-plexes(SOC) is verified by in-situ UV Raman spectroscopy and the SOC mainly exist as carboxyl groups during soot combustion.The presence of NO in the reaction gas stream can promote the pro-duction of SOC.     

V2O5/TiO2 Catalyst Xerogels: Method of Preparation and Characterization

This work describes a modified sol-gel method for the preparation of V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts. The samples have been characterized by N₂ adsorption at 77 K, X-ray Diffractometry (XRD), Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM/EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The surface area increases with the vanadia loading from 24 m² g^–1 for pure TiO₂ to 87 m² g^–1 for 9 wt% of V₂O₅. The rutile form is predominant for pure TiO₂ but becomes enriched with anatase phase when vanadia loading is increased. No crystalline V₂O₅ phase was observed in the diffractograms of the catalysts. Analysis by SEM showed heterogeneous granulation of particles with high vanadium dispersion. Two species of surface vanadium were observed by FT-IR spectroscopy: a monomeric vanadyl and polymeric vanadates. The vanadyl/vanadate ratio remains practically constant. Ethanol oxidation was used as a catalytic test in a temperature range from 350 to 560 K. The catalytic activity starts around 380 K. For the sample with 9 wt% of vanadia, the conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde as the main product was approximately 90% at 473 K.     

Oxidation of 3- and 4-methylpyridines on modified vanadium oxide catalysts

The partial oxidation of 3- and 4-methylpyridines on V₂O₅ and vanadium oxide catalysts doped with TiO₂, Al₂O₃, and ZrO₂ was studied. The catalytic activities of the studied catalysts were correlated with the calculated proton affinities of the vanadyl oxygen. A possible mechanism of the surface stages of the partial oxidation of 3- and 4-methylpyridines on the vanadium oxide catalysts was discussed.     

Catalytic combustion of chlorobenzene over V2O5/TiO2 catalysts prepared by the precipitation-deposition method

Catalytic combustion of chlorobenzene over supported vanadium oxides has been investigated. TiO₂ was prepared by the sol-gel method from titanium isopropoxide. The supported vanadium oxide catalysts have been prepared by precipitation-deposition and impregnation method and characterized by XRD, FT-Raman and TPR. In the VO_x/TiO₂catalysts prepared using the impregnation method, when vanadium loading reaches 3 wt.%, the activity shows a maximum. However, in the VO_x/TiO₂catalysts prepared by precipitation-deposition, when vanadium loading reaches 7 wt.%, the activity shows a maximum. This result suggests that the precipitation-deposition can yield a higher metal loading on the support and a high dispersion compared to the impregnation method. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene with CO2 over Al-MCM-41-supported vanadia catalysts

Catalytic performance of Al-MCM-41-supported vanadia catalysts (V/Al-MCM-41) with different V loading was investigated for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene (ST) with CO₂ (CO₂-ODEB). For comparison, pure silica MCM-41 was also used as support for vanadia catalyst. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD) pyridine-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, H₂-temperature-programmed reduction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-Raman, and diffuse reflectance (DR) UV–vis spectroscopy. The results indicate that the catalytic behavior and the nature of V species depend strongly on the V loading and the support properties. Compared with the MCM-41-supported catalyst, the Al-MCM-41-supported vanadia catalyst exhibits much higher catalytic activity and stability along with a high ST selectivity (>98%). The superior catalytic performance of the present V/Al-MCM-41 catalyst can be attributed to the Al-MCM-41 support being more favorable for the high dispersion of V species and the stabilization of active V⁵⁺ species. Together with the characterization results of XRD, TGA, and DR UV–Vis spectroscopy, the deep reduction of V⁵⁺ into V³⁺ during CO₂-ODEB is the main reason for the deactivation of the supported vanadia catalyst, while the coke deposition has a less important impact on the catalyst stability.     

Bulk and surface structures of V2O5/ZrO2 catalysts for n-butane oxidative dehydrogenation

The present investigation focuses on the structural properties and reactivity of zirconia-supported vanadium oxide catalysts, prepared by equilibrium adsorption in basic (pH 10) or in acid (pH 2.7) conditions with vanadium content up to 6 wt.% (pH 10) and up to 11.6 wt.% (pH 2.7). The samples, heated at 823 K for 5 h in air, were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and TPR, both as prepared and after leaching with an ammonia solution to remove species not anchored to the zirconia surface. Some representative samples were also tested for the n-butane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) reaction. Depending on vanadium content, various vanadium species were identified by Raman spectroscopy that reacted differently on exposure to H₂. At similar loading, the fraction of vanadium in a dispersed state and thus interacting with the support was higher in samples prepared at pH 10 than in those at pH 2.7. Samples prepared at pH 2.7 contained a higher fraction of large polymeric structures in addition to ZrV₂O₇ and V₂O₅.In line with literature data for propane ODH on similar catalysts, our catalytic results suggested that the active sites for the ODH reaction are associated with the V–O–V bonds of the polymeric exposed structures, whereas the Zr–O–V sites favour alkane combustion.     

Application of EPR spectroscopy for elucidation of vanadium speciation in VO x /ZrO2 catalysts subject to redox treatment

Application of EPR spectroscopy corroborated by spectra simulation in speciation studies of the tetravalent vanadium in supported VO _x /ZrO₂ catalyst has been discussed. Implementation of genetic algorithms into automated analysis of the EPR spectra has greatly improved the simulation efficiency. The performance of the new procedure has been benchmarked against common simplex method using the multi-component model and real EPR spectra of tetravalent vanadium in VO _x /ZrO₂ catalysts. The analysis has revealed speciation of vanadium into surface isolated and clustered vanadyl entities and isolated bulk V _Zr ^x ions due to formation of Zr_1?x V _x O₂ solid solution in the near to surface region. The structural heterogeneity of vanadium can be controlled by the calcination temperature and the redox treatment.     

Monolayer V2O5/TiO2–ZrO2 catalysts for selective oxidation of o-xylene: preparation and characterization

A series of TiO₂?CZrO₂ supported V₂O₅ catalysts with vanadia loadings ranging from 4 to 12 wt% were synthesized by a wet impregnation technique and subjected to various thermal treatments at temperatures ranging from 773 to 1,073?K to understand the dispersion and thermal stability of the catalysts. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, oxygen uptake, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. XRD results of 773?K calcined samples conferred an amorphous nature of the mixed oxide support and a highly dispersed form of vanadium oxide. Oxygen uptake measurements supported the formation of a monolayer of vanadium oxide over the thermally stable TiO₂?CZrO₂ support. The O 1s, Ti 2p, Zr 3d, and V 2p core level photoelectron peaks of TiO₂?CZrO₂ and V₂O₅/TiO₂?CZrO₂ catalysts are sensitive to the calcination temperature. No significant changes in the oxidation states of Ti⁴⁺ and Zr⁴⁺ were noted with increasing thermal treatments. Vanadium oxide stabilized as V⁴⁺ at lower temperatures, and the presence of V⁵⁺ is observed at 1,073?K. The synthesized catalysts were evaluated for selective oxidation of o-xylene under normal atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 600?C708?K. The TiO₂?CZrO₂ support exhibits very less conversion of o-xylene, while 12 wt% V₂O₅ loaded sample exhibited a good conversion and a high product selectivity towards the desired product, phthalic anhydride.     

Active component of supported vanadium catalysts in the selective oxidation of methanol

The structure of catalysts based on vanadium oxide supported on different oxides (SiO₂, γ-Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, and TiO₂) was investigated. Their catalytic properties in the selective oxidation of methanol in a temperature range of 100–250°C were studied. It was shown that the nature of the support determines the structure of the oxide forms of vanadium. The supporting of vanadium on SiO₂ and γ-Al₂O₃ leads to the preferred formation of crystalline V₂O₅; the surface monomeric and polymeric forms of VO_x are additionally formed on ZrO₂ and TiO₂. It was established that the crystalline V₂O₅ oxide is least active in the selective oxidation of methanol; the polymeric forms are more active than monomeric ones. The mechanism of the selective oxidation of methanol to dimethoxymethane and methyl formate on the vanadium oxide catalysts is considered.     

Titania-supported mixed HPMoV polyoxometallates as precursors of hydrodesulfurization catalysts

HDS catalysts were prepared by loading H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ or H₄PMo₁₁V₁O₄₀ polyoxometallates on TiO₂ (0.5 and 1.0 mmol (Mo+V)). Activity of the catalysts was tested in the HDS of thiophene. The activity of catalysts of low concentration was 2–3 times higher than the activity of those of high concentration. Temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and IR spectroscopy were used to determine the properties of the catalyst. TPR measurements proved that vanadium promotes and stabilizes HDS activity due to an increase in the Mo⁵⁺/Mo⁴⁺ ratio.     

Temperature-programmed reduction of V2O5 and coprecipitated V2O5−TiO2 by hydrogen

Temperature-programmed reductions (TPR) with H₂ of both pure V₂O₅ and coprecipitated V₂O₅?TiO₂ systems with different titanium concentrations was performed. The original and the reduced samples following each TPR step were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Within the temperature range in which TPR analysis was carried out (100–600°C) the V₂O₅ phase was reduced in two or three steps, while no variation in the TiO₂ phase (anatase or rutile) was observed. In the first reduction step only superficial reduction of the oxides was detected. In the following steps, the H₂ reacted with oxygen atoms of the V=O and V?O?V bonds. This led to important changes in the structure and morphology of the system. The experimental evidence allowed the conclusion that titanium stabilizes certain phases of vanadium oxides in which vanadium appears as V(+4) or as a mixture of V(+4) and V(+5). Moreover, when moderate and high titanium concentrations were used, the reduction temperature of the bulk V₂O₅ decreased markedly.     

Thermal behaviour of high surface area V2O5/TiO2 catalysts

Thermal analysis (TG and DTA) was employed for the characterization of V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalysts supported on high surface area TiO₂. The results obtained are consistent with a uniform spreading of vanadium oxide on TiO₂ surface for V₂O₅ content less than 15% by weight.The presence of V₂O₅ on the surface of TiO₂ affects the anatase-rutile phase transition lowering the temperature at which it occurs.DTA measurements, performed on catalysts after many months from the preparation, show the appearance of an exothermic peak in the range 280°–340°C. This signal has been related to the oxidation of V(IV) to V(V) on the catalyst surface.Catalysts characterization, performed by chemical analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy, has confirmed this interpretation.It has been suggested that a slow modification of the catalyst occurs, leading to an increase of the V(IV) content during the time.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Charakterisierung von V₂O₅/TiO₂-Katalysatoren auf hochoberflächigem TiO₂ Trägermaterial wurde die Thermoanalyse (TG und DTA) angewendet. Für einen V₂O₅-Gehalt von weniger als 15 Gew.% entsprechen die erhaltenen Ergebnisse einer gleichmäßigen Verteilung des Vanadiumoxides an der TiO₂-Oberfläche.Die Gegenwart von V₂O₅ an der Oberfläche von TiO₂ beeinflußt die Anatas-Rutil-Phasenumwandlung, indem sie die zugehörige Temperatur verringert.DTA-Messungen an Katalysatoren mehrere Monate nach ihrer Herstellung zeigten das Auftreten eines exothermen Peaks im Bereich 280°–340°C. Dieses Signal wurde der Oxidation von V(IV) zu V(V) an der Katalysatoroberfläche zugeschrieben.Diese Interpretation konnte durch eine Charakterisierung des Katalysatoren durch chemische Analyse und FT-IR-Spektroskopie bestätigt werden.Es wurde angedeutet, daß der Katalysator mit der Zeit einer langsamen Modifikation unterliegt, die zu einem Ansteigen des V(IV)-Gehaltes führt.

     

Structural characterization and photocatalytic activity of hollow binary ZrO2/TiO2 oxide fibers

The formation of hollow binary ZrO₂/TiO₂ oxide fibers using mixed precursor solutions was achieved by activated carbon fibers templating technique combined with solvothermal process. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The binary oxide system shows the anatase-type TiO₂ and tetragonal phase of ZrO₂, and the introduction of ZrO₂ notably inhibits the growth of TiO₂ nanocrystallites. Although calcined at 575 °C, all hollow ZrO₂/TiO₂ fibers exhibit higher surface areas (>113 m²/g) than pure TiO₂ hollow fibers. The Pyridine adsorption on ZrO₂/TiO₂ sample indicates the presence of stronger surface acid sites. Such properties bring about that the binary oxide system possesses higher efficiency and durable activity stability for photodegradation of gaseous ethylene and trichloromethane than P25 TiO₂. In addition, the macroscopic felt form for the resulting materials is more beneficial for practical applications than traditional catalysts forms.     

Structural study of titanium doped vanadia and vanadium doped titania catalysts

The morphologies and structures of nanostructurally assembled V₂O₅ doped with Ti as well as of the inverse system, V-doped TiO₂, have been studied using transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The bulk structure of the Ti-doped vanadia particles was found to be crystallized in a rod-like shape and to have the phase composition of V₂O₅ with titanium atoms nonuniformly distributed over the surface. A coherent interface between supported V₂O₅ and TiO₂ particles was found to be the main structural peculiarity of the inverse system, V-doped TiO₂ (anatase). The vanadium atoms are partially exchanged for titanium atoms at the interface, which leads to a change in the bond lengths of V=O and V-O-Ti in comparison with those observed in the monolayer supported vanadia catalysts. Both materials showed good catalytic behavior in the reaction of selective reduction of NO by NH₃. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Vanadium-Containing ZrSiO4 Solid Solutions from Gels

A procedure is reported for the preparation of vanadium-doped zircon pigmenting system with different vanadia loadings which enabled their complete formation and further characterization. Vanadium-zircon solid solutions were prepared by gelling mixtures of ZrO₂ and V₂O₅ colloidal sols and tetraethylorthosilicate and studied over the temperature range up to the formation of zircon. The reaction sequence of gels was evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance. It was found that the first crystalline phase detected was a vanadium-containing tetragonal ZrO₂ solid solution where vanadium was stabilized in the reduced V⁺⁴ state. The formation of the V-ZrSiO₄ solid solution occurred by the reaction between the monoclinic form of V⁺⁴-ZrO₂ solid solution and the amorphous silica phase. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX) data, measurements of lattice parameters and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance of V-ZrSiO₄ solid solutions revealed that vanadium was dissolved as V⁺⁴ replacing Si⁺⁴ in tetrahedral sites in the crystal structure of zircon. The solubility limit of vanadium in ZrSiO₄ was about 0.01 mole of vanadium per mole of zircon (0.5 wt% as V₂O₅).     

Determination of the chemical composition of supported vanadium-containing oxide catalysts by the differential dissolution method

The results of the application of the stoichiographic method of differential dissolution (DD) in the determination of the chemical composition of vanadium-containing catalysts are presented. In the studied catalyst series, amounts of vanadium were deposited onto TiO₂, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, and Nb₂O₅. The catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method or by the spray drying method and thermally treated at different temperatures. The DD method was used for the precise correction of the phase composition of the V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst samples in order to determine the nature of the active component of these catalysts and obtain the correct information on their structure using the NMR method.     

Vapour phase synthesis of isobutyraldehyde from methanol and ethanol over mixed oxide supported vanadium oxide catalysts

The vapour phase synthesis of isobutyraldehyde from methanol and ethanol in one step was investigated over titania-silica, titania-alumina, titania-zirconia, titania-silica-zirconia, and magnesia supported vanadium oxide catalysts at 623 K and under normal atmospheric pressure. Among various catalysts the titania-silica binary oxide supported vanadia provided higher yields than the other single or mixed oxide supported catalysts. The high conversion and product selectivity of V₂O₅/TiO₂-SiO₂ catalyst (20 wt% V₂O₅) was related to the better dispersion of vanadium oxide over titania-silica mixed oxide support in addition to other acid-base and redox characteristics. A reaction path for the formation of isobutyraldehyde from methanol and ethanol mixtures over these catalysts was described.     

Enhanced epoxidation of soybean oil by novel Al2O3–ZrO2–TiO2 solid acid catalyst

This study aims to develop highly efficient, recyclable solid catalysts for the epoxidation of vegetable oils. An Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–TiO₂ solid acid catalyst was prepared by a co‐precipitation/impregnation method and characterised through scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analyses. The solid acid catalyst with a high surface area and typical slit pore adsorption was successfully synthesised. Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–TiO₂ also exhibits high stability and improved catalytic efficiency in the epoxidation of soybean oil. An oil conversion rate of 86.6%, which is higher than that of conventional catalysts, was obtained with a catalyst loading of 0.8 wt% and was maintained at 76.6% even after recycling the catalyst three times. The performance of the solid catalyst was slightly superior to that of H₂SO₄. Therefore, this novel catalyst may potentially be applicable in catalysing soybean oil epoxidation.     

Vanadium oxide monolayer catalysts. I. Preparation,characterization, and thermal stability

Vanadium oxide catalysts of the monolayer type have been prepared by means of chemisorption of vanadate(V)-anions from aqueous solutions and by chemisorption of gaseous V₂O₃(OH)₄. Using Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, TiO₂, CeO₂ and ZrO₂, catalysts with an approximately complete monomolecular layer of vanadium(V) oxide on the carrier oxides can be prepared, if temperature is not too high. Divalent metal oxides like CdO and ZnO may already form threedimensional surface vanadates at moderate temperature. The thermal stability of a monolayer catalyst is related to the parameter z/a, i. e. the ratio of the carrier cation charge to the sum of ionic radii of carrier cation and oxide anion. Thus, monolayer catalysts will be thermally stable only under the condition that z/a is not too high (aggregated catalyst) nor too small (ternary compound formation).