Vanadium containing heteropoly molybdates as precursors for the preparation of Mosingle bondVsingle bondP oxides supported on alumina catalysts for ammoxidation of m-xylene Original Research Article

Vanadium incorporated molybdophosphoric acid (MPAV) was used as a precursor to prepare Mosingle bondVsingle bondP oxide supported on alumina catalysts. The catalysts were prepared by impregnation of MPAV on alumina and subjecting them to calcination at 450 °C. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, temperature programmed reduction and X-ray photo electron spectroscopy to study the nature of interaction of MPAV with Al2O3. The characterization results revealed the decomposition of MPAV Keggin ion on alumina and the formation of its constituent oxides during calcination. The nature of metal oxide species formed on the surface of alumina depended on MPAV loading and the V content. The crystalline nature of metal oxides derived from the decomposition of MPAVx increased with increase in vanadium content. The activity of the catalysts during the ammoxidation of m-xylene also depended on MPAV loading and the content of V, as they were responsible for the dispersion of the constituent metal oxides on alumina.