Improvement of the catalytic performance of supported (NH4)3HPMo11VO40 catalysts in isobutane selective oxidation

► Catalysts prepared by supporting (NH4)3HPMo11VO40 (APMV) on various silica carriers and on Cs3PMo12O40 (CPM). ► Catalytic performance for the selective oxidation of isobutane to methacrolein and methacrylic acid was evaluated. ► The highest yield (8%) was obtained with CPM-supported APMV at 15.3 mol.% isobutane conversion. ► The support exerts a strong effect on the dispersion and on the thermal stability and on acidity of APMV. ► Silica-supported catalysts were poorly stable as compared with CPM-supported. ► Decomposition of APMV was delayed by supporting it on CPM, and preserved the strongest acid sites necessary in the reaction.