CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF SRSN1-XSBXO3 IN METHANOL OXIDATION

Ceramic model catalyst materials of general formula SrSn1-xSbxO3 are s ynthesised by solid state reaction. X-ray diffraction shows the materi als to be single phase over the composition range 0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.085, with a second phase, identified as SrSb2O5, being produced at higher antimony doping levels. XPS, Auger e lectron spectroscopy and valence band photoemission show strong segreg ation of Sb to the surface of the material even within the single phas e regime. The catalytic properties of the materials are examined using methanol oxidation as a test reaction. The activity and selectivity t o formaldehyde production shown by these materials is found to be stro ngly correlated with the attainment of the bulk solubility limit of Sb in the SrSnO3 perovskite host.