Partial oxidation of light alkanes by reductive activated oxygen over the (Pd-black + VO(acac)2/VGCF) cathode of H2–O2 cell system at 298 K Original Research Article

Oxidation of propane over various cathodes of the H2–O2 cell system was studied in the gas phase at 298 K. The cathode prepared from vapor-growing-carbon-fiber (VGCF) supported VO(acac)2 and Pd-black was most active for the oxidation of propane. Products were acetone, acetic acid and CO2. The (Pd-black+VGCF) cathode and the (VO(acac)2/VGCF) cathode were not good for the oxidation. Co-addition of Pd-black and VO(acac)2 to VGCF remarkably enhanced the formation rate of products and increased the selectivity to acetone. This strong synergism of Pd and VO(acac)2 over VGCF was studied in detail. The active oxygen species generated on the (Pd-black+VO(acac)2/VGCF) cathode oxidized ethane to acetic acid at 298 K, but a trace amount of CO2 was the only product in the oxidation of methane.