Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene over V2O5/Nb2O5 catalysts

V2O5/Nb2O5 catalysts with various V2O5 contents were prepared by impregnation and characterized by various techniques in detail. Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane was carried out in a fixed bed quartz reactor at 500–600 °C. XPS analysis indicated a clear enrichment of vanadium on the near-surface-region and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy revealed the nature of VOx structures formed. 10 wt.% V2O5/Nb2O5 catalyst has displayed the best performance (X = 28%, S = 38% at 600 °C) due to enrichment of vanadium in the near-surface-region and formation of optimum amount of monomeric/oligomeric VOx species.

Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene has been carried out over V2O5/Nb2O5 catalysts with 5 to 20 wt.% V2O5 loadings. Among them, 10 wt.% V2O5 displayed superior performance due to formation of monomeric VOx species and surface enrichment of V in the near-surface-region.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► ODH of ethane has been carried out on V2O5/Nb2O5 solids with varying V2O5 contents.
► V2O5/Nb2O5 catalysts have been used for the first time for ODH of ethane.
► Monomer VOx species and V surface enrichment are responsible for improved performance.
► 10 wt.% V2O5/Nb2O5 exhibited the best performance.