Characterization and catalytic behavior of MoO3/V2O5/Nb2O5 systems in isopropanol decomposition

The influence of molybdenum oxide as a promoter on the V2O5/Nb2O5 system was investigated. A series of MoO3/V2O5/Nb2O5 catalysts, with MoO3 loading ranging from 1 to 3 Wt% MoO3 and fixed V2O5 content (21 wt%), were prepared by impregnation of the Nb2O5 support with an aqueous solution of ammonium metavanadate and ammonium molybdate. The acid-base properties of the catalysts were investigated to determine of the selectivity of the isopropanol decomposition reaction. The X-ray diffraction results showed the presence of the beta-(Nb,V)(2)O-5 phase. The temperature-programmed reduction profiles showed that the reducibility of vanadium was affected by the presence of molybdenum oxide. Activity results for isopropanol decomposition revealed that the acid-base properties of V2O5/Nb2O5 catalysts are affected upon incorporation of MoO3, specifically for loadings of 3 wt %. For this catalyst composition both propylene and acetone formation rates decreased.