Effect of synthesis method on stabilized nano-scaled Sb–V–O catalysts for the ammoxidation of propane to acrylonitrile

A new synthesis method to prepare V–Sb–O phases on Al2O3, and Nb2O5 substrates has been investigated and compared with previous works in which a conventional synthesis method was used. The new preparation method leads to an amorphous layer of Sb oxide, which had not been described previously; its Raman bands are reported for the first time. This new method provides an intimate contact between Sb and V during synthesis. It has a clear influence on the structure and catalytic properties of the final catalysts. The total amount (Sb + V), the Sb/V atomic ratio, and the specific support determine acrylonitrile production. Depending on catalyst stoichiometry, different preparation methods are preferred. Standard Sb2O3 suspension method is preferre