Infrared and X-ray diffraction investigations of vanadium–titanium oxides for the oxidation of alcohol

Vanadium oxide supported on titania has been studied by infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction for qualitative and quantitative analysis, together with the rate of oxidation of alcohol and reduction of oxide. The rate of ethanol formation passes through a maximum at V–Ti-11 (11 wt% V2O5) in the presence or absence of oxygen gas. At low surface concentrations of vanadium oxide below V–Ti-11 a new vanadate phase is observed in the i.r. spectra. The active oxygen species correspond to amorphous or two-dimensional vanadium oxide in the catalyst. It is concluded that the catalytic activity of V–Ti oxides originates mainly from the presence of such species.