Additional effects of Pt and Nb on hierarchically porous titania in the catalytic removal of n-butanol

Platinum catalysts supported on hierarchically porous TiO2 modified by niobium have been synthesized, characterized and tested for the complete oxidation of n-butanol. It was found that after Nb addition to titania, the hierarchical porous structure (meso- and macropores) was maintained. The anatase titania crystallite size decreased with Nb content which was consistent with the specific surface area increase (>160 m2 g−1), even after calcination at 400 °C. The incorporation of niobium into Pt/TiO2 catalysts led to a significant increase in catalytic activity in comparison with catalyst without niobium addition at a relative low temperature (≈100 °C). Nb incorporation promoted the formation of reduced platinum species and resulted also in the formation of very easily reducible species (Pt2+ and Ti4+ in the vicinity). As a result, the activity at 100 °C of Pt/5%Nb–TiO2 catalyst was 4 times higher than for Nb-free Pt/TiO2 catalyst.