USb3O10 as a catalyst for the selective oxidation of propene. Dynamic interaction of the oxide surface with the gas phase

Abstract

The dependence of catalytic performance on the surface dynamics of USb₃O₁₀ has been studied. The sequential treatment of USb₃O₁₀ with propene, oxygen and the reactant mixture under the experimental oxidation conditions has been studied using the pulse-microreactor method. The existence of two types of active site on the surface is proposed. Sites with highly coordinated oxygen are responsible for complete oxidation. On the other hand, unsaturated sites lead to a selective process. We also discuss the irreversible surface restructuring in relation to the observed low mobility of O^2– ions.