Partial oxidation of light alkanes by reductive activated oxygen over the (Pd-black + VO(acac) 2/VGCF) cathode of H 2–O 2 cell system at 298 K

Abstract

Oxidation of propane over various cathodes of the H 2–O 2 cell system was studied in the gas phase at 298 K. The cathode prepared from vapor-growing-carbon-fiber (VGCF) supported VO(acac) 2 and Pd-black was most active for the oxidation of propane. Products were acetone, acetic acid and CO 2. The (Pd-black+VGCF) cathode and the (VO(acac) 2/VGCF) cathode were not good for the oxidation. Co-addition of Pd-black and VO(acac) 2 to VGCF remarkably enhanced the formation rate of products and increased the selectivity to acetone. This strong synergism of Pd and VO(acac) 2 over VGCF was studied in detail. The active oxygen species generated on the (Pd-black+VO(acac) 2/VGCF) cathode oxidized ethane to acetic acid at 298 K, but a trace amount of CO 2 was the only product in the oxidation of methane.