Vanadium-containing catalysts for oxidation reactions

Two sets of catalysts (VOx-SiO2 and VOx-Al2O3) were prepared by fl ame pyrolysis (FP) and tested for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane. Better vanadium dispersion and superior catalytic performances (in terms of propene selectivity) were achieved with FP-samples compared to catalysts obtained by impregnation. Similarly, two V-containing mesoporous catalysts (V-SBA-15 and V-MCF) were directly synthesized to obtain highly dispersed V species in the silica. The latter catalysts performed better in both ODH of propane and dichloromethane decomposition compared to impregnated ones. In addition, better results in the ODH of propane were obtained with V-MCF, while higher activity in dichloromethane decomposition was achieved with V-SBA-15. These fi ndings seem to be related to the different porous network of the two catalysts.