Highly active and selective supported bulk nanostructured MoVNbTeO catalysts for the propane ammoxidation process

We report a methodology to prepare nanoscaled supported-bulk MoVNbTeO catalysts in which the phases required to obtain an active and selective catalysts are nanoscaled on the surface of a support. Thus, a more economic catalytic material with improved mechanical properties can be obtained. The effect of vanadium content and atmosphere of calcination on the catalytic performance are discussed, and the results of the supported-catalysts are compared with those of bulk catalytic samples, which have been prepared as reference. The best supported catalyst afford ca. 50% acrylonitrile yield with 80% propane conversion at 450 °C. The activity per gram of MoVNbTeO increases fourfold upon stabilization of its nanoparticles.

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► It has been possible to prepare MoVNbTe active phases (M1 and rutile) nanoscaled on the surface of an alumina support.
► Supported bulk nanoscaled oxides are more active per gram than non-supported bulk ones.
► Alumina support improves the activity, cost and mechanical properties of the catalysts.