Modification of the surface reactivity and selectivity of mixed oxides in oxidation reactions due to coadsorbate species

The influence of coadsorbate species on the surface properties of mixed oxides in the selective oxidation of hydrocarbons is shown to highlight the concept of the possibility to tune the reactivity and selectivity with gas phase dopants and the role of coadsorbate species in the reaction mechanism of selective oxidation. Although few literature data are available on these topics, the examples discussed illustrate that a better understanding of these phenomena is a key to the design of better catalysts and a critical factor in understanding the real nature of the surface processes during the catalytic reaction. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.