Effect of mechanochemical modification on the catalytic properties of the V2O5−TiO2 system

Abstract

The mechanochemical modification of a V−Ti−O composition in ethanol and water was carried out in a planetary mill. X-ray phase analysis was used to show that the X-ray diffraction patterns of the modified samples result from overlapping of the patterns of the individual oxides, while the modification conditions affect the relative intensity of the reflections. The micro-Raman spectra indicated that homogeneity of this composition is achieved after only 30 min treatment in water and 20 min treatment in ethanol. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the medium and duration of the treatment do not affect the valence state of the elements but do significantly alter the ratio of the elements in the surface layer. Mechanochemical treatment of mixtures of vanadium and titanium oxides permits enhancement of the activity and selectivity of the V−Ti−O compositions in the oxidation of n-pentane and o-xylene.