Oxidative conversion of isobutane to isobutene over V-Sb-Ni oxide catalysts Original Research Article

Insertion of proper amounts of nickel oxide into alumina-supported V-Sb oxide catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane substantially increases isobutane conversion (from 36 to 42–44%) at selectivity to isobutene ∼70%. Fresh and used catalysts (including reference bulk V-Sb-O and V-Sb-Ni-O systems) were characterised by BET, XRD, XPS and H2-TPR. Formation of new phase of nickel vanadate NiV2O6 at the expense of free VOx-phase leads to more reducible catalyst with increased amounts of mobile lattice oxygen. The facile redox cycle of vanadium species is considered to improve the catalyst activity.