METHANOL OXIDATION ON MOO3/TIO2 CATALYSTS

The reaction of methanol oxidation on MoO3/TiO2 catalysts shows different behaviour depending on the surface coverage with molybdena and on the specific surface area of the TiO2 support. The nature of the TiO2 support (anatase or rutile) seems to play only a minor role. Two different zones can be distinguished which correspond to a molybdena content higher and lower than a theoretical monolayer (mnl). The catalytic behaviour of samples with a low molybdena content ( < 1 mnl) depends largely on the specific surface area and on the surface coverage of the TiO2 support. Catalysts with a high molybdenum content (> 1 mnl) exhibit similar catalytic properties. The formation of methyl formate is observed only on high specific surface area catalysts and it involves methoxy groups formed by the reaction of methanol with the OH groups on the surface of the TiO2 support.