MoV-based catalysts in ethane oxidation to acetic acid: Influence of additives on redox chemistry

The formation of acetic acid and/or ethylene by oxidation of ethane is strongly dependent on X additives or Y promotor added to MoVO-based catalysts. MoV_0.4X_0.12YO_z (X = Nb; Y = Pd;  = 10⁻⁴) catalysts were prepared by the slurry method and their structural properties were studied by in situ (redox conditions) XRD, Raman and XPS techniques. The reactivity during reduction and reoxidation was analysed by thermal analysis (TGA/DSC). The oxidation of ethane was carried out in a conventional fixed bed microreactor with on line analysis by gas chromatography. Results show that Nb exerts mainly a structural effect as it is responsible for the stabilisation of molybdenum (VI) by formation of solid solutions with V, and that Pd modifies the rate of reduction of the solid catalysts. The increase of selectivity to acetic acid observed by Pd promotion is likely due to the transformation of ethylene to acetic acid occurring on neighboring Pd–V active sites.     

Catalytic wet air oxidation of acetic acid over different ruthenium catalysts

Ruthenium catalysts were prepared by impregnation of different supports: ZrO₂, CeO₂, TiO₂, ZrO₂–CeO₂ and TiO₂–CeO₂. Their activities for acetic acid oxidation in aqueous solution were investigated in a stirred reactor at a reaction temperature of 200 °C and total pressure of 4 MPa. The order of the catalyst activity obtained was RuO₂/ZrO₂–CeO₂ > RuO₂/CeO₂ > RuO₂/TiO₂–CeO₂ > RuO₂/ZrO₂ > RuO₂/TiO₂, which corresponds to surface concentration of non-lattice oxygen (defect-oxide or hydroxyl-like group) of these catalysts. The non-lattice oxygen on the catalyst surface plays an important role in the catalytic activity.     

Anodic oxidation of oxalic acid using WOx based anodes

The electrochemical (COOH)₂ oxidation reaction was studied at high potentials (i.e. in the region where O₂ is evolved) in acidic, aqueous solutions using conductive WO_x based anodes. The WO_x films used as anodes also contained Pt ‘micro’-centers. Comparative oxidation studies were also carried out using antimony doped SnO₂ anodes. More rapid (COOH)₂ oxidation rates were observed for the WO_x based anodes than for the antimony doped SnO₂ anodes. The (COOH)₂ oxidation reaction studied under the conditions used in this work was shown to be activation rather than mass transport controlled. The (COOH)₂ oxidation rate constant was found to be independent of the applied potential using the WO_x based anodes. This likely suggests that a chemical reaction is involved in the (COOH)₂ oxidation reaction. This chemical reaction is also suggested to be the rate determining step in the (COOH)₂ to CO₂ oxidation reaction. Furthermore, it is believed that the (COOH)₂ oxidation reaction involves adsorptive interactions of this organic with the Pt/WO_x anode surface.     

Catalytic conversion of methane and CO2 to synthesis gas over a La2O3-modified SiO2 supported Ni catalyst in fluidized-bed reactor

In this contribution, a commercial spherical SiO₂ was modified with different amounts of La₂O₃, and used as the support of Ni catalysts for autothermal reforming of methane in a fluidized-bed reactor. Nitrogen adsorption, XRD and H₂-TPR analysis indicated that La₂O₃-modified SiO₂ had higher surface area, strengthened interaction between Ni and support, and improved dispersion of Ni. CO₂-TPD found that La₂O₃ increased the alkalescence of SiO₂ and improved the activation of CO₂. Coking reaction (via both temperature-programmed surface reaction of CH₄ (CH₄-TPSR) and pulse decomposition of CH₄) disclosed that La₂O₃ reduced the dehydrogenation ability of Ni. CO₂-TPO, O₂-TPO (followed after CH₄-TPSR) confirmed that only part amount of carbon species derived from methane decomposition could be removed by CO₂, and O₂ in feed played a crucial role for the gasification of the inactive surface carbons. Ni/xLa₂O₃-SiO₂ (x = 10, 15, 30) possessed high activity and excellent stability for autothermal reforming of methane in a fluidized-bed reactor.     

Catalytic wet air oxidation of Kraft bleach plant effluents in a trickle-bed reactor over a Ru/TiO2 catalyst

Catalytic wet air oxidation of two acidic and alkaline Kraft bleach plant effluents (total organic carbon (TOC) content 1138 and 1331 mg l⁻¹, respectively) was investigated in a trickle-bed reactor at T=463 K and oxygen partial pressure of 8 bar. The reactor packed with titania or titania-supported ruthenium catalyst was operated in a low-interaction (LIR) trickle-flow regime either in continuous-flow or batch-recycle mode. In the off-gas, no carbon monoxide was detected in any of the runs. When the catalytic bed was composed of TiO₂ particles, moderate abatement of organic compounds from the bleach plant effluents was observed (TOC conversions up to 46 and 26%, respectively). The removal of parent organic material was further enhanced by deposition of metallic ruthenium (3 wt.%) on the titanium oxide support. In that case, the once-through oxidation produced decolorized outlet streams with TOC conversions as high as 89 and 88%, respectively. These values further increased to 98 and 95%, respectively, by running the trickle-bed reactor in the batch-recycle mode of operation; the residual carbon content in treated effluents was found in the form of acetic acid. No leaching of Ru or Ti was detected by ICP-AES analysis to the detection limits of 0.2 and 0.1 mg l⁻¹, respectively.     

Direct synthesis of acetic acid from CH4 and CO2 by a step-wise route over Pd/SiO2 and Rh/SiO2 catalysts

The theoretical and experimental feasibility of direct conversion of CH₄ and CO₂ to acetic acid by an isothermal step-wise route over Pd/SiO₂ and Rh/SiO₂ catalysts was investigated. The methyl radical formation from CH₄ dissociation and CO₂ inserting into the intermediate are regarded as two limiting steps. Preliminary experimental results have shown that the following step-wise route can circumvent the thermodynamic limitation of this direct synthesis at low temperatures. Pd catalysts are more active than Rh catalysts at 170 °C and 200 °C, while formic acid is only produced on Pd catalysts. The optimum contact time of CH₄ and CO₂ with catalysts is 1 min under the experimental conditions. And there is no apparent deactivation resulting from carbon deposition for catalysts during the successive reaction cycles.     

Evaluation of SO2 oxidation and fly ash filtration by an activated carbon fluidized-bed reactor: The effects of acid modification, copper addition and operating condition

It is expected that the simultaneous removal of acid gases and particles from flue gas, using a single process and at the same temperature, will become an economical, and thus, desirable option. Accordingly, this study investigates the potential for the utilization of a fluidized-bed adsorbent/catalyst reactor for the simultaneous removal of SO₂ and fly ash from simulated flue gas. The operating conditions for the evaluation include: (1) different pre-treatments of the adsorbent/catalyst, (2) the operating parameters of adsorption/filtration and (3) the effects of simultaneous adsorption/filtration through the fluidized-bed reactor. Based on the experimental data gathered, the Brönsted acid sites were formed on the surface of activated carbon (AC) support materials after modification with nitric or sulfuric acid and it acted as anchor. This characteristic accounts for the promotion of the effects of dispersion and adsorption of the adsorbent/catalyst. Moreover, the addition of copper facilitated the oxygen transfer of SO₂ to the carbon matrix. The concentration of SO₂ removed by the fluidized-bed adsorbent/catalyst reactor decreased from 17.9 to 14.2 mg SO₂/g of adsorbent after exposure to a high concentration of fly ash. Therefore, an acid-pre-treatment of the adsorbent/catalyst is required to hasten the removal of SO₂ in the simulated flue gas. Our result shows that the acidic groups may facilitate the adsorbent/catalyst removal of SO₂ when there exist high concentrations of fly ash in the flue gas.     

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.     

Catalytic wet air oxidation of phenol and acrylic acid over Ru/C and Ru–CeO2/C catalysts

Ru/C catalysts promoted, or not, by cerium were prepared by impregnation of an active carbon (961 m² g⁻¹) with chlorine-free precursors of Ru and Ce. They were characterized by chemisorption of H₂ and of CO and by electron microscopy. TEM and H₂ chemisorption gives coherent results while CO chemisorption overestimates Ru dispersion. In Ru–Ce/C, Ce is in close contact with Ru and decreases Ru accessibility.

Catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of phenol and of acrylic acid (160°C and 20 bar of O₂) was investigated over these catalysts and their performance (activity, selectivity to intermediate compounds) compared with that of a reference Ru/CeO₂ catalyst. Carbon-supported catalysts were very active for the CWAO of phenol but not for acrylic acid. Although high conversions were obtained, phenol was not totally mineralized after 3 h. It was shown that acrylic acid was more strongly adsorbed than phenol. Moreover, the number of contact points between Ru particles and CeO₂ crystallites constitutes a key parameter in these reactions. A high surface area of ceria is required to insure O₂ activation when the organic molecule is strongly adsorbed.     

Catalytic wet oxidation of phenol over PtxAg1−xMnO2/CeO2 catalysts

Catalytic wet oxidation reactions of aqueous phenol over unpromoted, base- and noble-metal promoted MnO₂/CeO₂ catalysts were carried out under mild conditions (80–130°C, 0.5 MPa O₂) in a batch slurry reactor. Even though the catalyst-mediated oxidation was very effective in destroying phenol, only a moderate selectivity toward complete mineralization into CO₂ and H₂O was attained due to parallel formation of deactivating carbonaceous deposits. Promotion of the mixed-oxide catalysts with platinum and/or silver enhanced the mineralization selectivity and reduced appreciably the amount of deposits.     

Kinetic studies of CH4 oxidation over Pt–NiO/δ-Al2O3 in a fluidised bed reactor

The oxidation of CH₄ over Pt–NiO/δ-Al₂O₃ has been studied in a fluidised bed reactor as part of a major project on an autothermal (combined oxidation–steam reforming) system for CH₄ conversion. The kinetic data were collected between 773 and 893 K and 101 kPa total pressure using CH₄ and O₂ compositions of 10–35% and 8–30%, respectively. Rate–temperature data were also obtained over alumina-supported monometallic catalysts, Pt and NiO. The bimetallic Pt–NiO system has a lower activation energy (80.8 kJ mol⁻¹) than either Pt (86.45 kJ mol⁻¹) and NiO (103.73 kJ mol⁻¹). The superior performance of the bimetallic catalyst was attributed to chemical synergy. The reaction rate over the Pt–NiO catalyst increased monotonically with CH₄ partial pressure but was inhibited by O₂. At low partial pressures (<30 kPa), H₂O has a detrimental effect on CH₄ conversion, whilst above 30 kPa, the rate increased dramatically with water content.     

Selective oxidation of methanol to dimethoxymethane over acid-modified V2O5/TiO2 catalysts

Selective oxidation of methanol to dimethoxymethane (DMM) was conducted in a fixed-bed reactor over an acid-modified V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst. The influence of the acid modification on its structure, redox and acidic properties, and catalytic performance for methanol oxidation were investigated. The results indicated that the content of vanadia in the catalyst exhibits a vital influence on the dispersion of vanadium species, while the acid modification can enhance its surface acidity. Proper amounts of the acid (W() = 15%) and V₂O₅ (W(V₂O₅) = 15%) components loaded in the acid-modified V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst are able to build a bi-functional circumstance that is favorable for the formation of DMM with high activity and selectivity. As a result, for the selective oxidation of methanol, the H₂SO₄-modified V₂O₅/TiO₂ catalyst gives a much higher DMM yield at 150 °C than the unmodified one.     

Catalytic steam reforming of ethane and propane over CeO2-doped Ni/Al2O3 at SOFC temperature: Improvement of resistance toward carbon formation by the redox property of doping CeO2

Ni/Al₂O₃ with the doping of CeO₂ was found to have useful activity to reform ethane and propane with steam under Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) conditions, 700-900 °C. CeO₂-doped Ni/Al₂O₃ with 14% ceria doping content showed the best reforming activity among those with the ceria content between 0 and 20%. The amount of carbon formation decreased with increasing Ce content. However, Ni was easily oxidized when more than 16% of ceria was doped. Compared to conventional Ni/Al₂O₃, 14%CeO₂-doped Ni/Al₂O₃ provides significantly higher reforming reactivity and resistance toward carbon deposition. These enhancements are mainly due to the influence of the redox properties of doped ceria. Regarding the temperature programmed reduction experiments (TPR-1), the redox properties and the oxygen storage capacity (OSC) for the catalysts increased with increasing Ce doping content. In addition, it was also proven in the present work that the redox of these catalysts are reversible, according to the temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) and the second time temperature programmed reduction (TPR-2) results.During the reforming process, in addition to the reactions on Ni surface, the gas-solid reactions between the gaseous components presented in the system (C₂H₆, C₃H₈, C₂H₄, CH₄, CO₂, CO, H₂O, and H₂) and the lattice oxygen (O_x) on ceria surface also take place. The reactions of adsorbed surface hydrocarbons with the lattice oxygen (O_x) on ceria surface (C_nH_m+O_x→nCO+m/2(H₂)+O_x−n) can prevent the formation of carbon species on Ni surface from hydrocarbons decomposition reaction (C_nH_m⇔nC+m/2H₂). Moreover, the formation of carbon via Boudard reaction (2CO⇔CO₂+C) is also reduced by the gas-solid reaction of carbon monoxide (produced from steam reforming) with the lattice oxygen (CO+O_x⇔CO₂+O_x−1).     

Catalytic oxidation of butane to maleic anhydride enhanced yields in the presence of CO2 in the reactor feed

The addition of CO₂ to the reaction mixture for the oxidation of butane over a VPO catalyst gives rise to significantly improved yields of maleic anhydride.     

The partial oxidation of C4–C6 alkanes to maleic anhydride, 2-methyl maleic anhydride, and acetic acid over MoVO catalysts

Alkanes such as iso-butane, n-pentane, and cyclohexane have been converted effectively to maleic anhydride, 2-methyl maleic anhydride, and acetic acid over MoVO catalysts below 330 °C. In order to explore the possible reaction pathways, the oxidation of iso-butene, cyclohexene, 2-methyl-1-propanol, tert-butanol, and 2-methylacrylic acid were examined over the catalysts. In iso-butene oxidation, acetic acid and 2-methyl maleic anhydride were detected but not maleic anhydride. In cyclohexene oxidation, benzene and phenol were detected as major products but it was not the case in cyclohexane oxidation. The results of our investigation indicate that the oxidation pathway of iso-butane is different from that of iso-butene, 2-methyl-1-propanol, tert-butanol, and 2-methylacrylic acid, whereas the oxidation pathway of cyclohexane is different from that of cyclohexene.     

Medium effects on the electro-deposition of MnO2 on glassy carbon electrode: A comparative study in alkane, perfluoro alkane carboxylic acids and methanesulphonic acid

Voltammetric studies of Mn(II) were carried out in acetic acid (AA), trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), butyric acid (BA), perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA) and methanesulphonic acid (MSA) media. Influence of anodic limit and the nature of acids were investigated. Oxidation of Mn(II) shows two anodic peaks in weak acids namely acetic acid and butyric acid media due to the formation of insoluble Mn(III) and Mn(IV) species. Reduction of these species were also observed as two peaks in the cathodic region. Formation and reduction of solid oxide phases are the dominant electrode processes in such weak acid media. In strong acids like MSA and TFA media sharp anodic and cathodic peaks were obtained due to the formation and reduction of stable soluble Mn(III) species. SEM studies reveal the formation of thicker oxide phases in weak acid media and much thinner oxide layers in strong acid media. γ-MnO₂ phase was formed from AA and TFA while -MnO₂ phase was formed from BA and PFBA, suggesting a relationship between phase structure and anionic size.     

Catalytic oxidation of nitrogen monoxide over La1−xCexCoO3 perovskites

This paper presents an investigation on the NO oxidation properties of perovskite oxides. La_1−xCe_xCoO₃ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) perovskite-type oxides were synthesized through a citrate method and characterized by XRD, BET and XPS. The catalytic activities were enhanced significantly with Ce substitution, and achieved the best when x was 0.2, but decreased at higher x values. The performed characterizations reveal that the adsorbed oxygen on the surface plays an important role in the oxidation of NO into NO₂. The surface compounds after the co-adsorption of NO and O₂ at room temperature, were investigated by DRIFTS and TPD experiments. Three species: the bridging nitrate, the hyponitrites and the monodentate nitrate, were formed on the surface. The order of thermal stabilities was as follows: monodentate > hyponitrite > bridging. Among them, only the monodentate nitrate which decomposed at above 300 °C, would desorb NO₂ into the gas phase. When Ce was added, the temperature of monodentate nitrate desorption became low and the adsorption of the other two species decreased. This might be related to the oxidation state of Co on the surface. Analysis by synthesizing the characterization results and catalytic activity data shows that large amounts of adsorbed oxygen, small amount of inactive compounds on the surface and low NO₂ desorption temperature are favorable for the oxidation of NO.     

Selective oxidation of isobutane to methacrolein over MoVTe mixed oxide supported on SBA-3 and SiO2

SBA-3 and SiO₂-supported MoVTe mixed oxide catalysts have been prepared by impregnation and/or direct synthesis methods and tested for selective oxidation of isobutane to methacrolein (MAL). It was found that the supported catalysts showed much higher activity than the bulk MoVTe mixed oxide for the reaction. Among the supported catalysts, better isobutane conversion and MAL yield were achieved on the 3% MoV_0.8Te_0.23O_x/SBA-3 catalyst prepared by the impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized with BET, XRD, Raman, H₂-TPR, XPS and FT-IR of pyridine adsorption. The good performance of the SiO₂ and SBA-3 supported MoV_0.8Te_0.23O_x catalysts was attributed to a combination of different properties: (i) formation of well dispersed active phases on large surface areas of SiO₂ and SBA-3 supports, which is beneficial for the isolation of active site and preventing the further oxidation of unstable reaction intermediate as well as product; (ii) improved activity for hydrogen abstraction of C-H bond of isobutane due to the formation of isolated pseudotetrahedral VO₄ species.     

Micellar catalysis for partial oxidation of toluene to benzoic acid in supercritical CO2: effects of fluorinated surfactants

One of the key hindrances on development of solid catalysts containing cobalt species for partial oxidation of organic molecules at mild conditions in conventional liquid phase is the severe metal leaching. The leached soluble Co species with a higher degree of freedom always out-performs those of solid supported Co species in oxidation catalysis. However, the homogeneous Co species concomitantly introduces separation problems. We have recently reported for the first time, a new oxidation catalyst system for the oxidation of organic molecules in supercritical CO₂ using the principle of micellar catalysis. [CF₃(CF₂)₈COO]₂Co·xH₂O (the fluorinated anionic moiety forms aqueous reverse micelles carrying water-soluble Co²⁺ cations in scCO₂) was previously shown to be extremely active for the oxidation of toluene in the presence of sodium bromide in water–CO₂ mixture, giving 98% conversion and 99% selectivity to benzoic acid at 120 °C. In this study, we show that the effects of varying the type of surfactant counterions and the length of the surfactant chains on catalysis. It is found that the use of [CF₃(CF₂)₈COO]₂Mg·yH₂O/Co(II) acetate is as effective as the [CF₃(CF₂)₈COO]₂Co·xH₂O and the fluorinated chain length used has a subtle effect on the catalytic rate measured. It is also demonstrated that this new type of micellar catalyst in scCO₂ can be easily separated via CO₂ depressurisation and be reused without noticeable deactivation.