Vanadium aluminium oxynitride catalysts for propane ammoxidation reaction

X-ray diffraction pattern indicated that all the catalysts in both oxide precursor and nitride state show amorphous character. BET surface area was higher for the sample with V/Al ratio of 0.25, before and after nitridation treatment. This sample showed optimal catalytic performances, with 50% acrylonitrile selectivity and 60% propane conversion. The optimal nitridation degree, which induces an optimal reduction degree of vanadium, would explain the maximal catalytic activity observed for the sample prepared using the V/Al ratio composition of 0.25.