Features of propane conversion in the presence of SmVO3 and SmVO4

Features of propane conversion in the presence of samarium vanadite and samarium vanadate, both produced via solid-phase synthesis, are studied. It is shown that SmVO₃ catalyzes mainly the propane cracking process to form methane and ethylene, while SmVO₄ equally accelerates both cracking and the dehydrogenation of propane. Based on the results from catalytic experiments, energies of activation are calculated for the thermal cracking of propane (104 kJ/mol) and the conversion of propane in the presence of SmVO₃ (39 kJ/mol) and SmVO₄ (42 kJ/mol). The thermal stability of SmVO₄ in a hydrogen atmosphere is studied via temperature-programmed reduction, while SmVO₃ stability in an oxidizing environment is studied by DTA. Energies of activation for the reduction of SmVO₄ (75 kJ/mol) and the oxidation of SmVO₃ (244 kJ/mol) are calculated using the Kissinger method.