The oxidative dehydrogenation of propane using gallium-molybdenum oxide-based catalysts

Catalysts based on a physical mixture of Ga2O3 and MoO3 have been prepared and evaluated for propane partial oxidation to propene. The Ga2O3/MoO3 catalysts produced appreciable propene yields and it has been demonstrated that the catalyst synergistically combined the alkane activation properties of Ga 2O3 with the selective oxidation function of MoO 3. Studies have probed the influence of varying the Ga/Mo ratio. Catalysts with a 1/1 and 1/3 ratio showed similar catalytic activity, whilst reducing the ratio to 1/10 significantly reduced the propene yield. Comparison of the 1/1 Ga2O3/MoO3 catalyst with a 6 wt. V2O5/TiO2 catalyst, which is known to be active for selective propane oxidation, showed that the propene yields were greater for Ga2O3/MoO3. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved