CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF BI4V2-XSBXO11-DELTA IN METHANOL OXIDATION

Ceramic model catalysts of general formula Bi4V2-xSbxO11-delta are syn thesised by solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction shows the material s to be single phase over the composition range 0 less than or equal t o x<0.3, with a second phase, which is not identified, produced at hig her antimony doping level. XPS results show oxidation states of +IV an d +V for vanadium in these compounds. These results also indicate that the proportion of antimony on the surface of the compounds is greater than that in the bulk of these compounds. The catalytic properties of the materials are examined using methanol oxidation as a test reactio n. The activity and selectivity to formaldehyde production shown by th ese materials is found to be strongly correlated with the antimony dop ing level. (C) 1997 Academic Press.