Operando Raman study of propane oxidation over alumina-supported V–Mo–W–O catalysts

The effect of tungsten over Mo–V–O-based catalysts is evaluated. Alumina-supported Mo–V–W–O samples were prepared with different overall metal loading coverages, considering several relative metal atomic ratios; a bulk sample was also synthesized. The catalysts were characterized with BET, XRD, XPS and UV–vis. Mechanistic aspects of the light hydrocarbon oxidation were studied by the operando Raman-GC approach. Different surface structures were found and the better propylene yields were achieved when Mo–W and V–W were predominant structures. W incorporation to alumina-supported Mo–V catalysts yields better performance for propane ODH.