Catalytic behavior of YBa2Cu3O7-x in the partial oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde

The partial oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde was performed over YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x in a flow reactor. The catalytic characteristics of YB₂Cu₃O_7-x were compared with those of an individual oxide comprising the YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x. The structural change of YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x and the other catalysts after the reaction was measured by means of XRD and XPS, and it was found that the high oxidation state of copper in YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x was responsible for the higher activity and the higher selectivity for acetaldehyde.