AN XPS, TEM, AND TPD STUDY OF THE OXIDATION AND AMMOXIDATION OF PROPENE USING MIXED FE-SB OXIDE CATALYSIS

Two mixed Fe-Sb oxide catalysts were investigated for the selective ox idation of propene to acrolein and the ammoxidation of propene in the presence of ammonia to acrylonitrile, The techniques used were chiefly X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature deprogrammed deso rption (TPD), X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. After propene dosing TPD experiments were carried out in the absence of gas phase oxygen utilising lattice oxygen for oxidation. The sample s contained a 1:1 and 2:1 atomic ratio of Sb:Fe (referred to as SbFe a nd Sb2Fe, respectively). XPS data indicate that the surface has an ant imony oxide enriched selvedge which favours the selective ammoxidation of propene. The Sb enriched surface of SbFe was found to be highly re ducible in low pressures of ammonia, yielding a metallic antimony over layer, Subsequent thermal desorption of this metal coating revealed a surface with an increased iron (III) oxide content which was not so ea sily reduced and found to be of a lower selectivity to partial ammoxid ation products, The Sb2Fe sample was more stable towards reduction. (C ) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.