Characterization and catalytic performance of modified Pt on SbOx for the s
elective oxidation of i-C4H10 and i-C4H8 to methacrolein are summarized and
reconsidered in this paper. XRD revealed that the main oxide phase in Pt/S
bOx catalysts under the reaction conditions was Sb6O13, while Raman spectro
scopy also indicated the presence of small alpha-Sb2O3 crystallites (senarm
ontite), forming on or around Pt particles, with small highly dispersed O =
SbOy decorating the Pt surface. These species were responsible for breakin
g up large Pt ensembles and suppressing the total oxidation reaction. Syner
gistic combination of the modified Pt and the defect pyrochlore-type Sb6O13
was essential for the selective oxidation of i-C4H10. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc
ience B.V. All rights reserved.