Selective oxidation of ethane to aldehydes over SBA-15 supported molybdenum catalyst

SBA-15 supported Mo catalysts (Moy/SBA-15) were prepared by an ultrasonic assisted incipient-wetness impregnation method. The physical and chemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by means of N2-adsorption-desorption, XRD, TEM, UV-Vis, Raman, XANES and H2-TPR. The results showed that a trace amount of MoO3 was produced on high Mo content samples. Turn-over frequency (TOF) and product selectivity are dependent on the molybdenum content. Both Mo0.75/SBA-15 and Mo1.75/SBA-15 catalysts give the higher catalytic activity and the selectivity to the total aldehydes for the selective oxidation of C2H6. At the reaction temperature of 625 °C, the maximum yield of aldehydes reached 4.2% over Mo0.75/SBA-15 catalyst. The improvement of the activity and selectivity was related with the state of MoOx species.

Graphical AbstractAmong the series Mox/SBA-15 catalysts, the low Mo loading is beneficial to the formation of isolated tetra-coordination molybdenum species, these species are beneficial to the formation of total aldehydes in the selective oxidation of C2H6.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide