Influence of V-sources on the catalytic performance of VMCM-41 in the selective oxidation of methane to formaldehyde

• Published in: Catalysis communications 2018, Vol.103, p.56-59
• Main Authors: Dang, Thi Thuy Hanh, Seeburg, Dominik, Radnik, Joerg, Kreyenschulte, Carsten, Atia, Hanan, Vu, Thi Thu Ha, Wohlrab, Sebastian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Formaldehyde; Methane; Vanadyl acetylacetonate; Vanadyl sulfate; VOx catalyst
• ISSN: 1566-7367; 1873-3905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.catcom.2017.09.004

VMCM-41 catalysts from two different tetravalent vanadium sources, hydrothermally synthesized after a mild gelation step at room temperature, were used as catalysts for the selective oxidation of methane to formaldehyde. Vanadyl acetylacetonate as VMCM-41 precursor, facilitates highest VOx density with predominance of monomeric and a small portion of low-oligomeric VOx species. It produces CH2O in high yield and the highest space time yield (STYCH2O) reaches 5.3kgCH2O·kgcat−1·h−1 at 600°C (rate of formation, rCH2O of 363h−1). VMCM-41 synthesized from vanadyl sulfate hydrate precursor contains a more significant portion of low-oligomeric species. With a lower V loading, these VOx species are significantly less active resulting in a maximum STYCH2O of 2.7kgCH2O·kgcat−1·h−1 at 625°C (rCH2O of 243h−1). •VMCM-41 catalysts were used for the selective oxidation of methane to formaldehyde.•VO(acac)2 as V precursor leads to monomeric VOx species.•VOSO4 as V precursor leads to increasing portion of oligomeric VOx species.•VMCM-41 from VO(acac)2 converts up to five times more methane.•A high space time yield of 5.3kgCH2O·kgcat−1·h−1 was obtained.