Effect of the conditions of preparing mixed oxide catalyst of Mo-V-Te-Nb-O composition on its activity in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane

Abstract

It is shown that catalytic activity of mixed oxide catalyst of Mo-V-Te-Nb-O composition in oxidative dehydrogenation (OD) of ethane is determined to a substantial degree by the Nb-to-(C2O4)2− ratio in niobium-containing precursors. A pH value of 2.8 to 3.0 for a mixture is optimal when conducting the hydrothermal synthesis of a mixed oxide catalyst; this is achieved by using oxaloniobic acid as a niobium-containing precursor. It is determined that substituting antimony for tellurium results in a loss of catalyst activity during the OD of ethane. The optimum Te content in a catalyst is 0.17 mol %.