Molecular structure and reactivity of the Group V metal oxides

The physical, electronic and reactivity properties of bulk and supported Group V metal oxides (V, Nb, Ta and Db) were compared at the molecular level. Dubnium is a very short-lived element, 60 s, whose properties have not been extensively studied, but can be predicted from knowledge of the other members of the Group V metal oxides. Bulk V₂O₅ possesses platelet morphology with the active surface sites only located at the edges: primarily surface redox sites and some surface acidic sites. Bulk Nb₂O₅ and Ta₂O₅, as well as to be expected for bulk Db₂O₅, possess isotropic morphologies and the active surface sites relatively homogeneously dispersed over their surfaces: only surface acidic sites. However, the bifunctional bulk V₂O₅ was found to exhibit a much higher specific acidic catalytic activity than the acidic bulk Nb₂O₅ and Ta₂O₅, the latter being almost identical in their specific acidic catalytic activity. The bulk properties of the Group V metal oxides were essentially transferred to the analogous supported Group V metal oxides, where the active Group V metal oxides were present as a two-dimensional monolayer on various oxide supports (e.g., Al₂O₃, TiO₂, ZrO₂ as well as Nb₂O₅ and Ta₂O₅). For supported vanadia catalysts, the active surface sites were essentially redox sites, with the exception of supported V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ that also contained strong acidic sites. For supported niobia and tantala catalysts, as well as to be expected for supported dubnia catalysts, the active surface sites were exclusively acidic sites. However, the TOF_redox for the supported vanadia catalysts and the TOF_acidic for the supported niobia and tantala catalysts varied over several orders of magnitude as a function of the specific oxide support with the electronegativity of the oxide support cation. However, the TOF_redox varied inversely to that of the TOF_acidic variation because of the opposite requirements of these active surface sites. Surface redox sites are enhanced by reduction and surface acidic sites are enhanced by stabilization (lack of reduction). The current fundamental understanding of the Group V metal oxides allows for the molecular engineering of their metal oxide applied catalytic materials.     

V2O5 catalysts supported on Al2O3–SiO2 mixed oxide: V, H MAS solid-state NMR, DRIFTS and methanol oxidation studies

Alumina–silica mixed oxide, synthesized by the sol–gel technique, was used as a support for dispersing and stabilizing the active vanadia phase. The catalysts were characterized employing ⁵¹V and ¹H solid-state MAS NMR, diffuse reflectance FT-IR, BET surface area measurements. The partial oxidation activities of the catalysts were tested using methanol oxidation as a model reaction. ⁵¹V solid-state NMR studies on the calcined catalysts showed the peaks corresponding to the presence of both tetrahedral and distorted octahedral vanadia species at low vanadia loadings and with an increase in V₂O₅ content, the ⁵¹V chemical shifts corresponding to amorphous V₂O₅ like phases were observed. DRIFTS studies of the catalysts indicated the vibrations corresponding tetrahedral vanadia species at low and medium loadings and at high V₂O₅ contents the vibrations corresponding V=O bonds of V₂O₅ agglomerates were observed. The V/Al–Si catalysts exhibited high selectivity for the dehydration product dimethyl ether in the methanol partial oxidation studies showing the predominance of the acidic nature of the alumina–silica support over the redox properties of the active vanadia phase.     

Molecular structure–reactivity relationships for the oxidation of sulfur dioxide over supported metal oxide catalysts

The catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide over several binary (M_xO_y/TiO₂) and ternary (V₂O₅/M_XO_Y/TiO₂) supported metal oxide catalysts was systematically investigated. The supported metal oxide components were essentially 100% dispersed as surface metal oxide species, as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy characterization. The sulfur dioxide oxidation turnover frequencies of the binary catalysts were all within an order of magnitude (V₂O₅/TiO₂>Fe₂O₃/TiO₂>Re₂O₇/TiO₂  CrO₃/TiO₂  Nb₂O₅/TiO₂>MoO₃/TiO₂  WO₃/TiO₂). An exception was the K₂O/TiO₂ catalysts, which is essentially inactive for sulfur dioxide oxidation. With the exception of K₂O, all of the surface metal oxide species present in the ternary catalysts (i.e., oxides of V, Fe, Re, Cr, Nb, Mo and W) can undergo redox cycles and oxidize SO₂ to SO₃. The turnover frequency for sulfur dioxide oxidation over all of these catalysts is approximately the same at both low and high surface coverages. This indicates that the mechanism of sulfur dioxide oxidation is not sensitive to the coordination of the surface metal oxide species. A comparison of the activities of the ternary catalysts with the corresponding binary catalysts suggests that the surface vanadium oxide and the additive surface metal oxide redox sites act independently without synergistic interactions. The V₂O₅/K₂O/TiO₂ catalyst showed a dramatic reduction in the catalytic activity in comparison to the unpromoted V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst. The ability of K₂O to significantly retard the redox potential of the surface vanadia species is primarily responsible for the lower catalytic activity of the ternary catalytic system. The fundamental insights generated from this research can potentially assist in the molecular design of the air pollution control catalysts: (1) the development of catalysts for low temperature oxidation of SO₂ to SO₃ during sulfuric acid manufacture (2) the design of efficient SCR DeNO_x catalysts with minimal SO₂ oxidation activity and (3) improvements in additives for the simultaneous oxidation/sorption of sulfur oxides in petroleum refinery operations.     

Ammoxidation of 3-picoline over V2O5/TiO2 (anatase) system I. Relationship between ammoxidation activity and oxidation state of vanadium

A series of titania (anatase)-supported vanadia catalysts ranging in V₂O₅ content from 0.4 to 9.9 mol% was prepared by wet impregnation technique, characterized by BET surface area measurement and X-ray diffraction, and evaluated for ammoxidation of 3-picoline. The average oxidation number of vanadium in the fresh and used catalysts was determined by titrimetric methods. The ammoxidation activity and the average oxidation number were observed to increase with vanadia loading up to 3.4 mol% in the catalyst which corresponds to a monolayer coverage. The phase transformation of anatase to rutile after the reaction was observed at a V₂O₅ loading of 5.9 mol%. The slow decrease of ammoxidation activity beyond 3.4 mol% V₂O₅ was attributed to the coverage of active monomeric VO_x species on the support by bulk vanadia and by other oxides, and also to compound formation with ammonia.     

Quantitative determination of the number of surface active sites and the turnover frequency for methanol oxidation over bulk metal vanadates

The present work investigates the number and nature of the surface active sites, selectivity and turnover frequency towards methanol selective oxidation of a series of bulk metal vanadates. The catalysts were synthesized through an organic route and characterized by laser Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and specific surface area analysis (BET). The number of surface active sites (N_s) was determined by measuring the concentration of surface methoxy species adsorbed on the catalysts exposed to an atmosphere of 2000 ppm of methanol in helium at 100 °C. The specific activity values (TOFs) were calculated by normalizing the methanol oxidation reaction rate by the number of surface active sites probed by methanol chemisorption. The comparison of the methanol oxidation products distribution from bulk metal vanadates, pure V₂O₅ and corresponding metal oxides (NiO, MnO, etc.) strongly suggests that the metal vanadate catalysts consist of only surface vanadium oxide sites. The comparison of the TOF values demonstrated that bulk metal vanadates possess similar activity to monolayer vanadium oxide supported catalysts and are more active than bulk metal molybdates for methanol selective oxidation. Moreover, bulk metal vanadates are as active and selective as the commercial MoO₃/Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ catalysts at high methanol conversion.     

Selective oxidation of propylene to acrolein over supported V2O5/Nb2O5 catalysts: An in situ Raman, IR, TPSR and kinetic study

The vapor-phase selective oxidation of propylene (H₂CCHCH₃) to acrolein (H₂CCHCHO) was investigated over supported V₂O₅/Nb₂O₅ catalysts. The catalysts were synthesized by incipient wetness impregnation of V-isopropoxide/isopropanol solutions and calcination at 450 °C. The catalytic active vanadia component was shown by in situ Raman spectroscopy to be 100% dispersed as surface VO_x species on the Nb₂O₅ support in the sub-monolayer region (<8.4 V/nm²). Surface allyl species (H₂CCHCH_2*) were observed with in situ FT-IR to be the most abundant reaction intermediates. The acrolein formation kinetics and selectivity were strongly dependent on the surface VO_x coverage. Two surface VO_x sites were found to participate in the selective oxidation of propylene to acrolein. The reaction kinetics followed a Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism with first-order in propylene and half-order in O₂ partial pressures. C₃H₆-TPSR spectroscopy studies also revealed that the lattice oxygen from the catalyst was not capable of selectively oxidizing propylene to acrolein and that the presence of gas phase molecular O₂ was critical for maintaining the surface VO_x species in the fully oxidized state. The catalytic active site for this selective oxidation reaction involves the bridging VONb support bond.     

Partial oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde and benzoic acid over model vanadia/titania catalysts: role of vanadia species

Pure and K-doped vanadia/titania prepared by different methods have been studied in order to elucidate the role of vanadia species (monomeric, polymeric, bulk) in catalytic toluene partial oxidation. The ratio of different vanadia species was controlled by treating the catalysts in diluted HNO₃, which removes bulk vanadia and polymeric vanadia species, but not the monomeric ones, as was shown by FT-Raman spectroscopy and TPR in H₂. Monolayer vanadia species (monomeric and polymeric) are responsible for the catalytic activity and selectivity to benzaldehyde and benzoic acid independently on the catalyst preparation method. Bulk V₂O₅ and TiO₂ are considerably less active. Therefore, an increase of the vanadium concentration in the samples above the monolayer coverage results in a decrease of the specific rate in toluene oxidation due to the partial blockage of active monolayer species by bulk crystalline V₂O₅. Potassium diminishes the catalyst acidity resulting in a decrease of the total rate of toluene oxidation and suppression of deactivation. Deactivation due to coking is probably related to the Brønsted acid sites associated with the bridging oxygen in the polymeric species and bulk V₂O₅. Doping by K diminishes the amount of active monolayer vanadia leading to the formation of non-active K-doped monomeric vanadia species and KVO₃.     

Activity and acidity of Nb2O5-MoO3 and Nb2O5-WO3 in the Friedel-Crafts alkylation

Nb₂O₅ loaded on the supports and mixed with oxides was studied to investigate the activity and acidity for Friedel-Crafts benzylation of anisole. From the study on the loaded catalysts, a preliminary conclusion for the selection of metal oxide was obtained; namely, such an acidic oxide as silica was suitable for the support of Nb₂O₅. Then, MoO₃ and WO₃ were mixed with Nb₂O₅, and prominent high catalytic activity and acidities were observed. Both oxides of Nb₂O₅-MoO₃ and Nb₂O₅-WO₃ showed almost similar behavior with respect to characterization and catalytic activity. Surface area increased, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman bands were lost, acid sites, both Brønsted and Lewis characters generated, and surface acid site density was as high as 2–4 nm⁻². The acid sites were generated on the amorphous metal oxides consisting of Nb and Mo or W oxides, different in nature from those of Nb₂O₅ calcined and un-calcined, and active for Friedel-Crafts benzylation.     

Effects of microwaves on selective oxidation of toluene to benzoic acid over a V2O5/TiO2 system

Two series of catalysts, V₂O₅/TiO₂ and modified V₂O₅/TiO₂, were prepared with a conventional impregnation method. They were tested in the selective oxidation of toluene to benzoic acid under microwave irradiation. The reaction conditions were optimized over V₂O₅/TiO₂. It was found that in the microwave catalytic process the optimum reactor bed temperature of the titled reaction decreases to 500 K (600 K in the conventional process). The modification of V₂O₅/TiO₂ with MoO₃, WO₃, Nb₂O₅ or Ta₂O₅, which has no negative influence on the reaction in the conventional catalytic process, can greatly promote the catalytic activities in the microwave process, leading to a high yield of benzoic acid (41%). The effects of microwave electromagnetic field on the catalysts are discussed.     

Selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide by propane over vanadia-titania aerogels

An investigation has been carried out of the effect of vanadia loading on the activity and selectivity ofV₂O₅TiO₂ aerogel catalysts, prepared by a two-step procedure, for the reduction of NO by propane. The structure of catalysts have been characterized by laser Raman spectroscopy and XRD measurements. At vanadia loading levels below ca. 4.4 wt%, the vanadia is present in the form of coordinated polymeric species, whereas crystallites of V₂O₅ are formed at higher vanadia contents. At this critical level of 4.4 wt% V₂O₅, the kinetic measurements showed also a maximum in the activity per mass of catalyst which very likely indicated that the coordinated polymeric surface species are more active than crystalline V₂O₅. The selectivity towards the formation of dinitrogen decreased as the loading increased, presumably because of the formation of larger polymeric species and V₂O₅ crystallites, below and above the critical loading level, respectively. For the reduction of NO by propane, titania supported vanadia aerogel catalysts are significantly more active, per mass of catalyst, and more selective towards N₂ formation than conventionalV₂O₅TiO₂ and V₂O₅Al₂O₃ aerogel catalysts, at vanadia loading levels below ca. 11 wt%.     

Surface characteristics and activity in selective oxidation of o-xylene of supported V2O5 catalysts prepared by standard impregnation and atomic layer deposition

Alumina-, silica-, and titania-supported vanadium oxide systems with V₂O₅ loadings ranging from 3 to 12 wt.%, corresponding to 0.02–0.09 V/(Al,Si,Ti) atomic ratios, were prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and compared with the corresponding impregnated catalysts. The surface acidic properties of the supports and catalysts were investigated using ammonia adsorption microcalorimetry to determine the number and strength of the surface acid sites. Deposition of V₂O₅ on alumina and titania supports gave rise to catalysts with lower amounts of acid sites than the respective supports, while for the samples prepared on silica, an increase of the number of acid sites was observed after V₂O₅ deposition. As a common trend, the surface acid strength was greater for the ALD catalysts than for the impregnated ones, suggesting a stronger interaction of the VO species with the support centers, which act as electron attractor centers creating Lewis-like vanadium species. Redox cycles were performed, involving temperature programmed reduction (TPR) analyses separated by an oxidation treatment (TPO). The results evidenced the good reversibility of the redox behavior of the vanadium centers in every case, while significant differences were observed when comparing the temperatures of reduction (T_max). Lower T_max values were observed for the better dispersed vanadia catalysts. After reduction, the V centers had a final formal average oxidation state corresponding to +3 or less (+2.5 to +2). The reactivity of the vanadia systems was examined by measuring their performance for the oxidation of o-xylene to phthalic anhydride. Activity tests indicated the superior selectivity of the V₂O₅ systems based on the more acidic supports (Al₂O₃ and TiO₂). The nature of the support governed the activity, and the more concentrated catalysts gave rise to improved selectivity to phthalic anhydride.     

Reactivity of V2O5&z.sbnd;WO3TiO2 de-NOx catalysts by transient methods

The reactivity of ternary V₂O₅&z.sbnd;WO₃TiO₂ de-NO_xing catalysts with compositions similar to those of commercial catalysts (WO₃ ca. 9% w/w, V₂O₅ < 2% w/w) is investigated by transient techniques (temperature programmed desorption, TPD; temperature programmed surface reaction, TPSR; and temperature programmed reaction, TPR). The results indicate that the reactivity of the ternary catalysts in the SCR reaction increases on increasing the vanadia loading, and that the ternary catalysts are more active than the corresponding binary vanadia-titania samples with the same V₂O₅ loading. Indeed the SCR reaction is monitored at lower temperatures and high NO conversions are also preserved at high temperatures. TPSR and TPR data show that at low temperatures the SCR reaction occurs via a redox mechanism that involves at first the participation of the catalyst lattice oxygen and then the reoxidation of the reduced sites by gas-phase oxygen. Based on TPSR and TPR data, the higher reactivity of the ternary catalysts has been related to their superior redox properties, in line with previous chemico-physical characterisation studies. The catalyst redox properties thus appear as a key-factor in controlling the reactivity of V₂O₅&z.sbnd;WO₃TiO₂ de-NO_xing catalysts at low temperatures. The results also show that at high temperatures the surface acidity plays an important role in the adsorption and activation of ammonia.     

Factors controlling the selectivity of V2O5 supported catalysts in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

The surface properties of a series of V₂O₅ catalysts supported on different oxides (Al₂O₃, H–Na/Y zeolite, MgO, SiO₂, TiO₂ and ZrO₂) were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy augmented by CO and NH₃ adsorption. In the case of the V₂O₅/SiO₂ system TEM images evidenced the presence of V₂O₅ crystallites, whereas such segregated phase was not observed for the other samples. VO_x species resulted widely spread on the surface of Al₂O₃, H–Na/Y zeolite, MgO and SiO₂, whereas on TiO₂ and ZrO₂ they are assembled in a layer covering almost completely the support. Furthermore, evidences for the presence in this layer of V–OH Brønsted acid sites close to the active centres were found. It is proposed that propene molecules primarily produced by oxydehydrogenation of propane can be adsorbed on this acid centres and then undergo an overoxidation by reaction with redox centres in the neighbourhood. This features could account for the low selectivity of V₂O₅/TiO₂ and V₂O₅/ZrO₂ catalysts.     

In situ TPR/TPO-Raman studies of dispersed and nano-scaled mixed V-Nb oxides on alumina

Various catalysts containing niobium and vanadium oxides supported on alumina were prepared by wet impregnation via aqueous solution using several precursors. The total loading of V and Nb oxides were below their dispersion limit on alumina. Vanadyl sulfate, ammonium metavanadate and ammonium niobate(V) oxalate were the precursors for supported vanadia and niobia. The reduction/oxidation properties were studied by conventional TPR/TPO and TPR/TPO-Raman. Surface vanadium oxide species tend to increase their polymerization degree upon TPR/TPO cycles. A broad weak feature near 900 cm⁻¹ appears associated to V³⁺–O–Al³⁺ bond vibration in the reduced vanadia-alumina catalysts. Niobia appears to retard vanadia reduction. Regarding supported niobia, a fraction of surface niobia is significantly more reducible than surface vanadia and another fraction is significantly less reducible. The more reducible niobia appears associated to an incipient Nb–Al–O phase that may account for a fluorescence background observed in the Raman spectra. The less reducible niobia phases appears associated to dispersed niobium oxide species on alumina. Niobium has an effect on vanadia reduction profiles in VNb/Al₂O₃ system.     

Vanadia–silica aerogels. Structure and catalytic properties in selective reductionof NO by NH3

Vanadia-silica aerogels, containing 10 to 30 wt% V₂O₅, and a xerogel were prepared from vanadium(V) oxide triisopropoxide and vanadium (III) acetylacetonate (V(III)_acac) precursors using the solution-sol-gel method and different drying processes, including conventional evaporative and high-temperature and low-temperature supercritical drying. The behavior of these mixed oxides in the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH₃ was tested and compared to that of other vanadia-silica and vanadia-titania catalysts. The structural and catalytic properties of the sol-gel derived vanadia-silica mixed oxides were found to be mainly influenced by the drying method, the vanadia content and the vanadia precursor used. For a particular vanadia content (10 wt%), low-temperature supercritical drying and evaporative drying resulted in significantly higher vanadia dispersion than high-temperature supercritical drying, which led to crystalline V₂O₅. Turnover frequencies for SCR at temperatures T < 475K were highest for low-temperature aerogels containing well-dispersed vanadium oxide species. Exposing these catalysts to higher temperatures under SCR conditions resulted in agglomeration/redispersion phenomena and at temperatures T > 550K best catalytic behavior was observed with vanadia-silica mixed oxides for which Raman spectroscopy indicated the presence of crystalline V₂O₅, as was the case for aerogels obtained by high-temperature supercritical drying and the low-temperature aerogel with the highest vanadia content (30 wt%).     

Oxidation of carbon black over various Pt/MOx/SiC catalysts

Catalytic activities of various Pt/MO_x/SiC systems for carbon oxidation under simulated diesel exhaust gas were investigated in temperature-programmed reactions. When Pt/MO_x (MO_x=TiO₂, ZrO₂, Al₂O₃) was loaded onto silicon carbide (SiC), the oxidation activities became higher than those of Pt/MO_x alone or other Pt/MO_x/SiC systems (MO_x=Ta₂O₅, WO₃, Nb₂O₅, SnO₂, SiO₂, CeO₂, MoO₃, V₂O₅). Among them, Pt/TiO₂/SiC exhibited the highest activity. We discuss the activity of MO_x=TiO₂, ZrO₂, and Al₂O₃ in connection with NO oxidation activity, adsorption of sulfate onto the support, Pt dispersion, and specific surface area of the catalyst. Furthermore, we investigated the catalytic performance of Pt/TiO₂/SiC in more detail under isothermal conditions and in a staged arrangement.     

Effect of the oxide support on the propane ammoxidation with Sb–V–O-based catalysts

The role of Nb₂O₅ and γ-Al₂O₃ oxide supports on the ammoxidation of propane on supported mixed Sb–V oxide at different Sb+V surface coverages is studied. Sb and V oxide species on alumina and on niobia support show different structural features that reflect in different performance during the ammoxidation of propane to acrylonitrile. Niobia-supported catalysts are much more selective to acrylonitrile than alumina-supported ones. Alumina interacts weakly with the supported oxides while niobia forms new phases through solid state reactions with the supported oxides during catalytic operation that must account for its higher selectivity values towards acrylonitrile and higher specific rate of acrylonitrile formation per vanadium site.     

Effect of Nb2O5 as additive to MgO catalyst on vapor phase hydrogen transfer reaction between methacrolein and ethanol

The effect of Nb₂O₅ as an additive to MgO catalyst for vapor phase hydrogen transfer reaction between methacrolein and ethanol to form methallyl alcohol and acetaldehyde has been studied. Nb₂O₅ itself was not effective for this reaction, but when Nb₂O₅ was added to MgO, the catalytic performance was enhanced. This result suggests that the preferable active sites on catalyst are increased by combination of Nb₂O₅ and MgO and so the catalytic performance is improved. On the other hand, when BaO or alkali metal oxide was added to Nb₂O₅, the catalytic performance became higher than that of Nb₂O₅ alone. This result suggests that the preferable active site is formed newly by combination of Nb₂O₅ and BaO or alkali metal oxide.     

Strong rhodium–niobia interaction in Rh/Nb2O5, Nb2O5–Rh/SiO2 and RhNbO4/SiO2 catalysts: Application to selective CO oxidation and CO hydrogenation

The extent of Rh–niobia interaction in niobia-supported Rh (Rh/Nb₂O₅), niobia-promoted Rh/SiO₂ (Nb₂O₅–Rh/SiO₂) and RhNbO₄/SiO₂ catalyst after H₂ reduction has been investigated by H₂ and CO chemisorption measurements. These catalysts have been applied to selective CO oxidation in H₂ (CO+H₂+O₂) and CO hydrogenation (CO+H₂), and the results are compared with those of unpromoted Rh/SiO₂ catalysts. It has been found that niobia (NbO_x) increases the activity and selectivity for both the reactions.     

Niobium oxide as support material for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

The ability of using niobium oxide (Nb₂O₅) as a support for preparing surface metal oxide species and testing the catalyst for the ODH of propane was done in the present study. Chromium oxide was used as the representative surface metal oxide species. To test the objective several loadings of Cr₂O₃/Nb₂O₅ were prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation technique. Surface area analysis, Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and TPR studies were used to characterize the sample. It was observed that surface chromium oxide species are formed similar to those on other oxide supports and similar monolayer coverages were achieved. However, the reduction characteristic (T_max temperature) was different due to the change in the Cr–O–support bond. The ODH of propane over the Cr₂O₃/Nb₂O₅ catalysts revealed that the activity increased up to monolayer coverage and then decreased due to the presence of Cr₂O₃ crystals. Similar observations were seen for the V₂O₅/Nb₂O₅ and MoO₃/Nb₂O₅ catalysts. The turnover frequency (TOF) was independent of coverage for the surface chromium, vanadium and molybdenum oxide species on Nb₂O₅. The constant TOF suggests the structure insensitivity of this type of reaction. The propene selectivities were high and relatively constant for the Cr₂O₃/Nb₂O₅ catalysts revealing the higher yields that can be obtained on this series of catalysts compared to the Cr₂O₃/Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃/TiO₂ catalysts. Additional studies involving tungsten and molybdenum oxide additives on 1% Cr₂O₃/Nb₂O₅ reveal the effect of exposed support surface on the propene selectivities.