Catalytic Activity of V–Sn Oxides for Oxidation Reactions

Abstract
The rate of oxidation of C3H6, C2H4, C3H8, and CO has been investigated over V–Sn oxides of various compositions. The rate shows two maxima at V–Sn(V/Sn=2/1) and (1/8) oxides. Comparison between the rate of reduction of the oxides with C3H6 and that of the corresponding catalytic oxidation suggests that the oxygen species responsible for oxidation differs for V–Sn(2/1) and V–Sn(1/8) oxides. The amount of oxygen desorbed in the temperature range 400–530 °C varies with the composition of the V–Sn oxides, showing a maximum at V–Sn(2/1) oxide. With V–Sn(1/8) oxide, little or no oxygen desorption is observed. On the basis of these results together with those of structural studies, it is concluded that the rate maximum with V–Sn(2/1) oxide arises from formation of an amorphous material from which lattice oxygen is easily released, while the rate maximum with V–Sn(1/8) oxide is associated with the presence of V4+ ions dissolved in SnO2.