Effect of sodium addition to V2O5/ZrO2 catalysts on their acidic properties, surface structures and propan-2-ol reactions

Abstract Na doped V 2 O 5 /ZrO 2 catalysts prepared by a two-step impregnation have been studied by FTIR spectroscopy. The reaction of propan-2-ol was followed by the pulse technique. Addition of sodium to 2 wt.% V 2 O 5 /ZrO 2 catalyst led to the decrease in Bronsted and Lewis acidic sites. Decreasing the Bronsted acidic sites resulted in decreasing propene formation from propan-2-ol. The surface VO bands in the catalysts shifted to lower wavenumber and reduced in intensity by Na addition, while the bulk VO band at 1020 cm −1 was reduced drastically and separated into two peaks at 1010 and 993 cm −1 on V5N1Z. It is concluded that Na highly disperses on the surface of both 2 and 5 wt.% V 2 O 5 /ZrO 2 catalysts and inserts into the bulk phase in 5 wt.% V 2 O 5 /ZrO 2 .