Unsupported MoO3-Fe2O3 catalysts: Characterization and activity during 2-propanol decomposition

The catalytic decomposition of 2-propanol (2-PrOH) was studied as probe reaction, in the gas phase, over unsupported MoO3-Fe2O3 mixed catalysts. The samples were prepared by mixing MoO3 (as ammonium heptamolybdate) with different x mol% Fe2O3 (as ferric nitrate) and calcined at 500 degrees C in air for 5 h. All catalysts were characterized by TPR, LR, XRD and XPS analyses. The surface area of these samples were determined using the BET method. Also, the acidity and the basicity of all catalysts were estimated thermogravimetrically using the adsorption of pyridine and formic acid as probe molecules. The catalytic decomposition of 2-PrOH was studied over the catalysts in the temperature range of 150-260 degrees C. A correlation between the catalytic activity and the acidity or the basicity of these catalysts has been made. The activation energies for both propene and acetone formation, over MoO3-Fe2O3 catalysts, were calculated.