Oxidation of propane to acrylic acid over Mo-V-Sb-La-Ox catalysts: Influence of catalyst preparation and calcination conditions

In the oxidation of propane to acrylic acid over a Mo-V-Sb-La-Ox catalyst, the influence of variables determining solid properties (viz. catalyst preparation methods including calcination conditions) and of process variables (viz. temperature and the C3H8/O2 ratio) on the catalytic performance was studied in the presence of water. The surface and catalytic properties of the Mo-V-Sb-La-Ox catalyst were found to be strongly dependent on the above parameters. The catalyst prepared by a slurry method showed superior catalytic performance compared to the catalyst prepared by co-precipitation and hydrothermal synthesis methods. The presence of water vapour in the reactant feed of propane and oxygen was beneficial for obtaining relatively good selectivity to acrylic acid. The catalyst was highly stable over an extended period of time without losing its activity and selectivity.

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