Nature, density, and catalytic role of exposed species on dispersed VOx/CrOx/Al2O3 catalysts

The structure and surface composition of binary oxides consisting of CrO(x) and VO(x) dispersed on alumina and their effects on the rate and selectivity of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane were examined and compared with those for CrO(x) and VO(x) dispersed on alumina. VO(x) deposition on an equivalent CrO(x) monolayer on alumina and deposition of CrO(x) on an equivalent monolayer of VO(x) deposited on alumina led to CrVO(4) species during thermal treatment with concomitant reduction of Cr(6+) to Cr(3+). Autoreduction of Cr(6+) to Cr(3+) is also detected for CrO(x), even without the presence of VO(x). Infrared spectroscopy of NO adsorbed at 153 K probes the relative abundance of alumina and of V(5+), Cr(3+), and Cr(6+) at surfaces. This technique detects differences in the surface composition of VO(x)/CrO(x)()/Al(2)O(3) and CrO(x)/VO(x)/Al(2)O(3). The first of these samples is enriched in VO(x) relative to CrO(x) compared with the second sample. Consistent with this finding, VO(x)/CrO(x)/Al(2)O(3) and CrO(x)/VO(x)/Al(2)O(3) are distinguishable in their ODH activities and propene selectivities. The highest ODH activity and propene selectivity is observed for VO(x)/CrO(x)/Al(2)O(3), which exhibits a surface enriched in VO(x) and having a low surface concentration of Cr(6+).     

Elucidation of the molecular structure of hydrated vanadium oxide species by X-ray absorption spectroscopy: correlation between the V...V coordination number and distance and the point of zero charge of the support oxide

The effect of the point of zero charge (PZC) of the support oxide (Al(2)O(3), Nb(2)O(5), SiO(2) and ZrO(2)) on the molecular structure of hydrated vanadium oxide species has been investigated with EXAFS spectroscopy for low-loaded vanadium oxide catalysts. It was found that the degree of clustering (i.e., the V[dot dot dot]V coordination number) and the V...V distance increase with decreasing PZC of the support oxide; i.e., Al(2)O(3) (8.7) < ZrO(2) (7) < Nb(2)O(5) (3.3) < SiO(2) (2). Upon hydration the silica-supported vanadium oxide exhibited a clear alteration in the position of the oxygen atoms surrounding the central vanadium atom and the number of oxygen atoms around vanadium increased to five. In contrast, only minor changes in the molecular structure were detected for the alumina-, niobia- and zirconia-supported vanadium oxide catalysts. Based on a detailed analysis of the EXAFS data a semi-quantitative distribution of vanadium oxide species present on the surface of the different support oxides can be obtained, which is in good agreement with earlier characterization studies primarily making use of Raman spectroscopy.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic reactivity of isolated V5+-Oxo species prepared by sublimation of VOCl3 onto H-ZSM5

Isolated and uniform V(5+)-oxo species were grafted onto H-ZSM5 at V/Al(f) ratios of 0.2-1 via sublimation of VOCl(3) precursors. These methods avoid the restricted diffusion of solvated oligomers in aqueous exchange, which leads to poorly dispersed V(2)O(5) at external zeolite surfaces. Sublimation methods led to stable and active V-ZSM5 catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) reactions; they led to an order of magnitude increase in primary C(2)H(6) ODH rates compared with impregnated ZSM5 catalysts at similar V/Al(f) ratios and showed similar activity to impregnated VO(x)/Al(2)O(3). The structure of grafted V(5+)-oxo species was probed using spectroscopic and titration methods. Infrared spectra in the OH region and isotopic exchange of D(2) with residual OH groups showed that exposure to VOCl(3(g)) at 473 K led to stoichiometric replacement of H(+) by each (VOCl(2))(+) species. Raman spectra supported by Density Functional Theory electronic structure and frequency calculations showed that, at V/Al(f) < 0.5, hydrolysis and subsequent dehydration led to the predominant formation of (VO(2))(+) species coordinated to one Al site with single-site catalytic behavior (0.7-0.9 x 10(-3) mol C(2)H(4) V(-1) s(-1), 673 K). At higher V/Al(f) ratios, simulation of extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra indicated that V(2)O(4)(2+) dimers coexisted with VO(2)(+) monomers and led to an enhancement in ODH rates as a result of bridging V-O-V (1.3 x 10(-3) mol C(2)H(4) V(-1) s(-1)). These V(5+)-oxo species form via initial reactions between VOCl(3(g)) and OH groups to form HCl((g)), hydrolysis of grafted (VOCl(2))(+) to form HCl((g)) and (VO(OH)(2))(+), and intramolecular and intermolecular condensation to form monomers and dimers, respective with the concurrent evolution of H(2)O. Raman and X-ray spectroscopies did not detect crystalline V(2)O(5) at V/Al(f) ratios of 0.2-1, but V(2)O(5) crystals were apparent in samples prepared by impregnation or physical mixtures of V(2)O(5)/H-ZSM5. Framework Al atoms and zeolite crystal structures are maintained during VOCl(3) treatment and subsequent hydrolysis; (27)Al and (29)Si MAS NMR showed that these synthetic protocols removes <10% of the framework Al atoms (Al(f)).     

In situ UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance and Raman spectroscopy and catalytic activity studies of propane oxidative dehydrogenation over supported CrO3/ZrO2 catalysts

The molecular structures, oxidation states, and reactivity of 3 and 6% CrO3/ZrO2 catalysts prepared by incipient wetness impregnation were examined under different conditions. The in situ Raman spectroscopic studies under dehydrated conditions reveal that the 3 and 6% CrO3/ZrO2 catalysts possess equal amounts of monochromate and polychromate species. Consequently, monolayer coverage on this ZrO2 support is about 3% CrO3. The 6% CrO3/ZrO2 possesses an additional Raman band due to Cr2O3 crystals corresponding to the remaining 3% CrO3. Furthermore, during reaction conditions the polychromate species is preferentially reduced, the monochromate species are slightly affected, and the Cr2O3 crystals are not affected. The in situ UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy results reveal that under steady-state reaction conditions the extent of reduction and edge energy position of surface Cr6+ cations increase with an increase in reduction environment for the 3 and 6% CrO3/ZrO2 samples. Propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) studies reveal that the catalytic activity expressed in moles of propane converted per gram catalyst per second is similar for the two catalysts, which is consistent with equal amounts of molecularly dispersed chromia present. The turnover frequency for the 6% CrO3/ZrO2 catalyst is, however, smaller than that for the 3% CrO3/ZrO2 sample due to the presence of Cr2O3 crystals, which are relatively inactive for propane ODH. For this catalytic system and for the experimental conditions used, propene, CO, and CO2 are primary products. Furthermore, the 33-39% propene selectivity is not affected by the C3H8/O2 ratio for both catalysts. Structure-reactivity studies suggest that the molecularly dispersed species are present in equal amounts in the 3 and 6% CrO3/ZrO2 samples as Cr6+ monochromate and polychromate species are the most effective catalytic active sites taking part in the propane ODH reaction.     

V2O5／TiO2催化剂的表面结构和酸碱性及氧化还原性

 研究了一系列锐钛矿担载的钒氧化物催化剂的表面性质．X射线衍射和Raman光谱表明，8％V2O5／TiO2催化剂上的V2O5处于单层分散状态．程序升温还原研究表明，单层分散的钒物种较易被还原，而形成多聚态和晶态后钒物种的还原温度升高．NH3吸附量热结果表明，在钒物种达到单层分散前，催化剂的表面酸性随钒担载量的增加而减弱，超过单层分散后，表面酸位的数目和强度基本不变．异丙醇脱氢／脱水反应结果表明，有O2时V2O5／TiO2催化剂显示出很强的氧化还原性，无O2时催化剂的脱水选择性较高．通过异丙醇的脱氢／脱水反应，将V2O5／TiO2催化剂的表面结构与其酸碱性和氧化还原性进行了初步的关联．     

Molecular structure of a supported VO4 cluster and its interfacial geometry as a function of the SiO2, Nb2O5, and ZrO2 support

The influence of the support oxide on the molecular structure of a VO(4) cluster and its interfacial geometry has been determined for SiO(2), Nb(2)O(5), and ZrO(2) as supports. Raman, IR, UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance, electron spin resonance, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies were used to characterize the supported vanadium oxide clusters after dehydration. It has been found that for all supports under investigation the vanadium ion is tetrahedral coordinated and consists of one V=O and three V-O bonds. For a VO(4)/SiO(2) catalyst it has been established that only one O neighbor is shared with the SiO(2) support via a V-O(b)-Si(support) bond with an angle of approximately 101 degrees (+/-0.5 degrees ) and a V...Si distance of 2.61 A. The absence of a second vanadium atom in the vicinity of the vanadium oxide cluster further subverts the classical assignment of the 920 cm(-1) Raman band to a V-O-V related vibration. The EXAFS results combined with structural modeling using Cerius(2) software lead to structural constraints, which imply a similar V-O(b)-M(support) interaction for Nb(2)O(5) and ZrO(2) as well. The V-O(b) and the V...M(support) distances depend on the geometry of each support surface. The results show that the classical model with three V-O(b)-M(support) bonds could not be experimentally observed with EXAFS under the applied measuring conditions. Additional experiments with IR and Raman spectroscopy under experimental conditions mimicking those of the EXAFS measurements reveal the presence of V-OH groups, giving further support for the presence of a O=V(OH)(2)-O(b)-M moiety at the support surface.     

Preparation of USY zeolite VOx supported catalysts from V(AcAc)3 and NH4VO3. Catalytic properties for the dehydrogenation of n-butane in oxygen-free atmosphere

The preparation of different samples of vanadia supported on ultrastable zeolite (VO(x)/USY) is discussed. The samples were prepared in order to obtain highly dispersed V-species, avoiding the formation of crystalline vanadia and the destruction of the zeolite framework. Two methods were employed for preparing VO(x)/USY samples: an organic route using V(AcAc)3 and an inorganic route using NH4VO3. The characterization of the samples was performed with XRD, TPR, NH3-TPD, and N2 isotherms. From these results it is concluded that when VO(x) is supported on the surface of USY from acidic aqueous solution of ammonium metavanadate, the destruction of the zeolite framework is accomplished. For higher pH values in the impregnating solution, undesired V2O5 is formed on the USY surface. On the other hand, VO(x)/USY prepared from the organic precursor shows no destruction of the USY structure. In addition, highly dispersed VO(x) are formed, though for relatively high V loadings (6%) an obstruction of the zeolite windows takes place. The samples are tested as catalysts for gas phase dehydrogenation of n-butane to olefins. The catalysts prepared from NH4VO3 are almost inactive for the reaction. On the other hand, both samples prepared from V(AcAc)3 present initial conversion levels in the 8-12% range. However, the selectivity depends on the V loading, the catalysts with 6% loading being the most selective (75%). The catalytic patterns of the samples (activity and selectivity) are in agreement with the physicochemical features of the VO(x)/USY surface.     

Atomic XAFS as a tool to probe the reactivity of metal oxide catalysts: quantifying metal oxide support effects

The potential of atomic XAFS (AXAFS) to directly probe the catalytic performances of a set of supported metal oxide catalysts has been explored for the first time. For this purpose, a series of 1 wt % supported vanadium oxide catalysts have been prepared differing in their oxidic support material (SiO2, Al2O3, Nb2O5, and ZrO2). Previous characterization results have shown that these catalysts contain the same molecular structure on all supports, i.e., a monomeric VO4 species. It was found that the catalytic activity for the selective oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde and the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propene increases in the order SiO2 < Al2O3 < Nb2O5 < ZrO2. The opposite trend was observed for the dehydrogenation of propane to propene in the absence of oxygen. Interestingly, the intensity of the Fourier transform AXAFS peak decreases in the same order. This can be interpreted by an increase in the binding energy of the vanadium valence orbitals when the ionicity of the support (increasing electron charge on the support oxygen atoms) increases. Moreover, detailed EXAFS analysis shows a systematic decrease of the V-Ob(-M(support)) and an increase of a the V-O(H) bond length, when going from SiO2 to ZrO2. This implies a more reactive OH group for ZrO2, in line with the catalytic data. These results show that the electronic structure and consequently the catalytic behavior of the VO4 cluster depend on the ionicity of the support oxide. These results demonstrate that AXAFS spectroscopy can be used to understand and predict the catalytic performances of supported metal oxide catalysts. Furthermore, it enables the user to gather quantitative insight in metal oxide support interactions.     

Investigations of V(2)O(5)-based LPG sensors

Sensor characteristics of V(2)O(5) dispersed on oxide supports such as Al(2)O(3), TiO(2) and ZrO(2) with respect to various gases and vapours including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have been investigated. Of all the systems studied, 20 mol% V(2)O(5) dispersed on ZrO(2) shows the highest sensitivity for LPG, the log sensitivity-log concentration (in ppm) plots being linear up to 1000 ppm or more. The sensitivity is not affected by humidity or recycling. Addition of P(2)O(5) to V(2)O(5) however destroys the sensitivity. Considering all aspects, 20 mol% V(2)O(5)/ZrO(2) is suggested for use as a practical LPG sensor. ESR spectroscopy indicates the formation of V(4+) species on exposure of V(2)O(5)/ZrO(2) or TiO(2) to LPG. In-situ high-temperature x-ray diffraction measurements show the formation of an unusual monoclinic form of VO(2) on exposure to LPG at 625 K which gets oxidized back to V(2)O(5) on exposure to air.     

On the structure of vanadium oxide supported on aluminas: UV and visible raman spectroscopy, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction studies

Vanadia species on aluminas (delta- and gamma-Al2O3) with surface VOx density in the range 0.01-14.2 V/nm2 have been characterized by UV and visible Raman spectroscopy, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), and temperature-programmed reduction in hydrogen. It is shown that the alumina phase has little influence on the structure and reducibility of surface VOx species under either dehydrated or hydrated conditions. Three similar types of dispersed VOx species, i.e., monovanadates, polyvanadates, and V2O5, are identified on both aluminas under dehydrated conditions. Upon hydration, polymerized VOx species dominate on the surfaces of the two aluminas. The broad Raman band at around 910 cm(-1), observed on dehydrated V/delta-, gamma-Al2O3 at all V loadings (0.01-14.2 V/nm2), is assigned to the interface mode (V-O-Al) instead of the conventionally assigned V-O-V bond. The direct observation of the interface bond is of significance for the understanding of redox catalysis because this bond has been considered to be the key site in oxidation reactions catalyzed by supported vanadia. Two types of frequency shifts of the V=O stretching band (1013-1035 cm(-1)) have been observed in the Raman spectra of V/Al2O3: a shift as a function of surface VOx density and a shift as a function of excitation wavelength. The shift of the V=O band to higher wavenumbers with increasing surface VOx density is due to the change of VOx structure. The V=O stretching band in dispersed vanadia always appears at lower wavenumber in UV Raman spectra than in visible Raman spectra for the same V/Al2O3 sample. This shift is explained by selective resonance enhancement according to the UV-Vis DRS results. It implies that UV Raman has higher sensitivity to isolated and less polymerized VOx species while visible Raman is more sensitive to highly polymerized VOx species and crystalline V2O5. These results show that a multiwavelength excitation approach provides a more complete structural characterization of supported VOx catalysts.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over V2O5/MoO3/Al2O3 and V2O5/Cr2O3/Al2O3: structural characterization and catalytic function

The structure and catalytic properties of binary dispersed oxide structures prepared by sequential deposition of VO(x) and MoO(x) or VO(x) and CrO(x) on Al(2)O(3) were examined using Raman and UV-visible spectroscopies, the dynamics of stoichiometric reduction in H(2), and the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. VO(x) domains on Al(2)O(3) modified by an equivalent MoO(x) monolayer led to dispersed binary structures at all surface densities. MoO(x) layers led to higher reactivity for VO(x) domains present at low VO(x) surface densities by replacing V-O-Al structures with more reactive V-O-Mo species. At higher surface densities, V-O-V structures in prevalent polyvanadates were replaced with less reactive V-O-Mo, leading to lower reducibility and oxidative dehydrogenation rates. Raman, reduction, and UV-visible data indicate that polyvanadates predominant on Al(2)O(3) convert to dispersed binary oxide structures when MoO(x) is deposited before or after VO(x) deposition; these structures are less reducible and show higher UV-visible absorption energies than polyvanadate structures on Al(2)O(3). The deposition sequence in binary Mo-V catalysts did not lead to significant differences in structure or catalytic rates, suggesting that the two active oxide components become intimately mixed. The deposition of CrO(x) on Al(2)O(3) led to more reactive VO(x) domains than those deposited on pure Al(2)O(3) at similar VO(x) surface densities. At all surface densities, the replacement of V-O-Al or V-O-V structures with V-O-Cr increased the reducibility and catalytic reactivity of VO(x) domains; it also led to higher propene selectivities via the selective inhibition of secondary C(3)H(6) combustion pathways, prevalent in VO(x)-Al(2)O(3), and of C(3)H(8) combustion routes that lead to low alkene selectivities on CrO(x)-Al(2)O(3). VO(x) and CrO(x) mix significantly during synthesis or thermal treatment to form CrVO(4) domains. The deposition sequence, however, influences catalytic selectivities and reduction rates, suggesting the retention of some of the component deposited last as unmixed domains exposed at catalyst surfaces. These findings suggest that the reduction and catalytic properties of active VO(x) domains can be modified significantly by the formation of binary dispersed structures. VO(x)-CrO(x) structures, in particular, lead to higher oxidative dehydrogenation rates and selectivities than do VO(x) domains present at similar surface densities on pure Al(2)O(3) supports.     

LambdaO4 upside down: a new molecular structure for supported VO4 catalysts

Vanadium oxide (1 wt %) supported on gamma-Al(2)O(3) was used to investigate the interface between the catalytically active species and the support oxide. Raman, UV-vis-NIR DRS, ESR, XANES, and EXAFS were used to characterize the sample in great detail. All techniques showed that an isolated VO(4) species was present at the catalyst surface, which implies that no V-O-V moiety is present. Surprisingly, a Raman band was present at 900 cm(-1), which is commonly assigned to a V-O-V vibration. This observation contradicts the current literature assignment. To further elucidate on potential other Raman assignments, the exact molecular structure of the VO(4) entity (1 V=O bond of 1.58 A and 3 V-O bonds of 1.72 A) together with its position relative to the support O anions and Al cation of the Al(2)O(3) support has been investigated with EXAFS. In combination with a structural model of the alumina surface, the arrangement of the support atoms in the proximity of the VO(4) entity could be clarified, leading to a new molecular structure of the interface between VO(4) and Al(2)O(3). It was found that VO(4) is anchored to the support oxide surface, with only one V-O support bond instead of three, which is commonly accepted in the literature. The structural model suggested in this paper leaves three possible assignments for the 900 cm(-1) band: a V-O-Al vibration, a V-O-H vibration, and a V-(O-O) vibration. The pros and cons of these different options will be discussed.     

负载型V2O5/TiO2催化剂表面分散状态和性质对氨选择性催化还原NO性能的影响（英文）

采用多种物理化学手段研究了不同负载量V2O5/TiO2催化剂的VOx物种分散状态、表面酸性、可还原性及其选择性催化还原(SCR)NO性能.结果表明,V2O5在锐钛矿TiO2表面的实测单层分散容量约为1.14mmol V/100m2TiO2,与"嵌入模型"的估算值相符,表明分散态的钒离子应键合在TiO2表面的八面体空位上.随着V2O5负载量的增加,V2O5/TiO2催化剂上NO转化频率(TOF)先急剧增加,至0.70mmol V/100m2TiO2(略超过分散容量的一半)时达到极大(约8.3×10-3s-1),然后又急剧下降;同时,孤立VOx物种可能倾向于分散在相邻的八面体空位上,且通过V-O-V化学键相连形成聚合的VOx物种,V-O-V键所占比例增加而V-O-Ti键所占比例减小,催化剂表面单位钒离子的Brnsted酸中心量增加,故催化剂的TOF急剧增加.随着负载量进一步增加,虽然催化剂表面单位钒离子的Brnsted酸中心量仍缓慢增加,但V-O-Ti键所占比例减少,导致钒离子的可还原性下降,另外,分散容量以上时晶相V2O5的形成也导致钒离子表面利用率下降,从而导致催化剂的TOF下降.桥式Brnsted酸位(V-O(H)-V)也是SCR反应活性中心之一,不同负载量V2O5/TiO2催化剂上SCR活性与表面VOx物种的分散状态、表面酸性和钒离子可还原性密切相关.     

An operando Raman study of molecular structure and reactivity of molybdenum(VI) oxide supported on anatase for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane

Supported molybdenum oxide catalysts on TiO(2) (anatase) with surface densities in the range of 1.8-17.0 Mo per nm(2) were studied at temperatures of 410-480 °C for unraveling the configuration and molecular structure of the deposited (MoO(x))(n) species and examining their behavior for the ethane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). In situ Raman and in situ FTIR spectra under oxidizing conditions combined with (18)O/(16)O isotope exchange studies provide the first sound evidence for mono-oxo configuration for the deposited (MoO(x))(n) species on anatase. Isolated O=Mo(-O-)(3) tetra-coordinated species in C(3v)-like symmetry prevail at all surface coverages with a low presence of associated (polymeric) species (probably penta-coordinated) evidenced at high coverages, below the approximate monolayer of 6 Mo per nm(2). A mechanistic scenario for (18)O/(16)O isotope exchange and next-nearest-neighbor vibrational isotope effect is proposed at the molecular level to account for the pertinent spectral observations. Catalytic measurements for ethane ODH with simultaneous monitoring of operando Raman spectra were performed. The selectivity to ethylene increases with increasing surface density up to the monolayer coverage, where primary steps of ethane activation follow selective reaction pathways leading to ～100% C(2)H(4) selectivity. The operando Raman spectra and a quantitative exploitation of the relative normalized Mo=O band intensities for surface densities of 1.8-5.9 Mo per nm(2) and various residence times show that the terminal Mo=O sites are involved in non-selective reaction turnovers. Reaction routes follow primarily non-selective pathways at low coverage and selective pathways at high coverage. Trends in the initial rates of ethane consumption (apparent reactivity per Mo) as a function of Mo surface density are discussed on the basis of several factors.     

V2O5-MoO3-SiO2表面复合氧化物催化剂的制备与表征

采用表面改性法制备了V2O5-SiO2,MoO3-SiO2,V2O5-MoO3-SiO2复合氧化物催化剂,并用TPR和IR技术研究了催化剂的表面结构及V=O,M0=O的活性,同时用化学吸附IR技术研究了催化剂样品对异丁烷的化学吸附性能.实验结果表明:这些复合氧化物催化剂对异丁烷都有较高的化学吸附能力;SiO2能缓解表面Lewis碱位V=O和Mo=O的氧化能力,有利于选择氧化.     

Modeling and electrokinetic evidences on the processes of the Al(III) sorption continuum in SiO2(s) suspension

Reactions of Al(III) at the interface between SiO2(s) and aqueous solution were characteristically and quantitatively studied using electrophoretic methods and applying a surface complexation/precipitation model (SCM/SPM). The surface and bulk properties of Al(III)/SiO2 suspensions were determined as functions of pH and initial Al(III) concentration. Simulated modeling results indicate that the SCM, accounting for the adsorption mechanism, predicts sorption data for low surface coverage only reasonably well. Al(III) hydrolysis and surface hydroxide precipitation must be invoked as the Al(III) concentration and/or pH progressively increase. Accordingly, the three processes in the Al(III) sorption continuum, from adsorption through hydrolysis to surface precipitation, could be identified by the divergence between the SCM/SPM predictions and the experimental data. SiO2(s) suspensions with low Al(III) concentrations (1 x 10(-4) and 1 x 10(-5) M) exhibit electrophoretic behavior similar to that of a pure SiO2(s) system. In Al(III)/SiO2 systems with high Al concentrations of 1 x 10(-3), 5 x 10(-3) and 1 x 10(-2) M, three charge reversals (CR) are observed, separately representing, in order of increasing pH, the point of zero charge (PZC) on the SiO2 substrate (CR1), the onset of the surface precipitation of Al hydroxide (CR2), and at a high pH, the PZC of the Al(OH)3 coating (CR3). Furthermore, in the 1 x 10(-3) M Al(III)/SiO2(s) system, CR2 is consistent with the modeling results of SCM/SPM and provides evidence that Al(III) forms a surface precipitate on SiO2(s) at pH above 4. SiO2(s) dissolution was slightly inhibited when Al(III) was adsorbed onto the surface of SiO2(s), as compared to the dissolution that occurs in a pure SiO2(s) suspension system. Al hydroxide surface precipitation dramatically reduced the dissolution of SiO2(s) because the Al hydroxide passive film inhibited the corrosion of the SiO2(s) surface by OH- ions.     

Structural characterization and oxidative dehydrogenation activity of V2O5/Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2/SiO2 catalysts

The thermal stability of a nanosized Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2 solid solution on a silica surface and the dispersion behavior of V2O5 over Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2/SiO2 have been investigated using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, HREM, and BET surface area techniques. Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene was performed as a test reaction to assess the usefulness of the VOx/Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2/SiO2 catalyst. Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2/SiO2 (1:1:2 mol ratio based on oxides) was synthesized through a soft-chemical route from ultrahigh dilute solutions by adopting a deposition coprecipitation technique. A theoretical monolayer equivalent to 10 wt % V2O5 was impregnated over the calcined Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2/SiO2 sample (773 K) by an aqueous wet impregnation technique. The prepared V2O5/Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2/SiO2 sample was subjected to thermal treatments from 773 to 1073 K. The XRD measurements indicate the presence of cubic Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 in the case of Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2/SiO2, while cubic Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 and tetragonal Ce0.16Zr0.84O2 in the case of V2O5/Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2/SiO2 when calcined at various temperatures. Dispersed vanadium oxide induces more incorporation of zirconium into the ceria lattice, thereby decreasing its lattice size and also accelerating the crystallization of Ce-Zr-O solid solutions at higher calcination temperatures. Further, it interacts selectively with the ceria portion of the composite oxide to form CeVO4. The RS measurements provide good evidence about the dispersed form of vanadium oxide and the CeVO4 compound. The HREM studies show the presence of small Ce-Zr-oxide particles of approximately 5 nm size over the surface of amorphous silica and corroborate with the results obtained from other techniques. The catalytic activity studies reveal the ability of vanadium oxide supported on Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2/SiO2 to efficiently catalyze the ODH of ethylbenzene at normal atmospheric pressure. The remarkable ability of Ce(x)Zr(1-x)O2 to prevent the deactivation of supported vanadium oxide leading to stable activity in the time-on-stream experiments and high selectivity to styrene are other important observations.     

Surface-inspired molecular vanadium oxide catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of alcohols: evidence for metal cooperation and peroxide intermediates

On the basis that thiacalix[4]arene (H(4)T4A) complex (PPh(4) )(2) [H(2)T4A(VO(2))](2) (Ia) was found to be an adequate functional model for surface species occurring on vanadium oxide based catalysts and itself catalyses the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of alcohols, an analogue containing 2,2'-thiobis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenolate), (S)L(2-), as ligand, namely, (PPh(4))(2)[(S)LVO(2)](2) (II) was investigated in the same context. Despite the apparent similarity of Ia and II, studies on II revealed several novel insights, which are also valuable in connection with surfaces of vanadia catalysts: 1) For Ia and II similar turnover numbers (TONs) were found for the ODH of activated alcohols, which indicates that the additional OH units inherent to Ia do not contribute particularly to the activity of this complex, for instance, through prebinding of the alcohol. 2) On dissolution II enters into an equilibrium with a monomeric form, which is the predominant species in solution; nevertheless, ODH proceeds exclusively at the dimeric form, and this stresses the need for cooperation of two vanadium centres. 3) By omitting O(2) from the system during the oxidation of 9-fluorenol, the reduced form of the catalyst could be isolated and fully characterised (including single-crystal X-ray analysis). The corresponding intermediate had been elusive in case of thiacalixarene system Ia. 4) Reoxidation was found to proceed via a peroxide intermediate that also oxidises one alcohol equivalent. As the peroxide can also perform mono- and dioxygenation of the thioether group in II, after a number of turnovers the active catalyst contains a sulfone group. The reduced form of this ultimate catalyst was also isolated and structurally characterised. Possible implications of 1)-4) for the function of heterogeneous vanadia catalysts are discussed.     

The adsorption and reaction of a titanate coupling reagent on the surfaces of different nanoparticles in supercritical CO2

The adsorption and reaction in supercritical CO2 of the titanate coupling reagent NDZ-201 on the surfaces of seven metal oxide particles, SiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2 (anatase), TiO2 (rutile), Fe2O3, and Fe3O4, was investigated. FTIR and TG analysis indicated that the adsorption and reaction were different on different particle surfaces. On SiO2 and Al2O3 particles, there was a chemical reaction of the titanate coupling reagent on the surfaces. On the surfaces of ZrO2 and TiO2 (anatase) particles, there were two kinds of adsorption, weak and strong adsorption. On the surfaces of TiO2 (rutile), Fe2O3, and Fe3O4 particles, there was only weak adsorption. The acidity or basicity of the OH groups on the particle surface was the key factor that determined if a surface reaction occurred. When the OH groups were acidic, the titanate coupling reagent reacted with these, but otherwise, there was no reaction. The surface density of OH groups on the original particles and the amount of titanate coupling reagent adsorbed and reacted were estimated from TG analysis. The reactivity of the surface OH groups of Al2O3 particles was higher than that of the SiO2 particles.     

First-principles studies of vanadia-titania catalysts: beyond the monolayer

Periodic density functional calculations have been used to investigate the structure and stability of epitaxial vanadium oxide films grown on the TiO(2)(001) anatase surface. The formation energy of films of V(2)O(5) stoichiometry, initially low, is found to rapidly increase with the film thickness, at variance to what is obtained for reduced pseudomorphic VO(2) films. This is in tune with results of oxygen-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The oxidation of thick, viz. >2 monolayers (ML), VO(2) films yields a c(2 x 2) reconstructed surface, in agreement with low energy electron diffraction. These films are composed by partially reduced inner V atoms in a distorted-octahedral environment, and by isolated surface dioxovanadium centers exhibiting a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination. Single scattering simulations of X-ray photoelectron diffraction patterns have also been performed, taking both 2- and 3-ML surface surface-oxidized films as models. Results are in fair agreement with experiments referring to films grown in oxidizing conditions, which suggests that coherent vanadia ultrathin films could be formed in vanadia-titania catalysts. The electronic structure of the films has been finally studied, finding that the terminal oxygens carried by the surface dioxovanadium species have a strong nucleophilic character, which makes them potential active centers for selective oxidation catalysis.