Characterization of the synthesis and reactivity behavior of nanostructured vanadia model catalysts using XPS and vibrational spectroscopy

Nanostructured vanadia model catalysts, i.e., highly dispersed vanadium oxide supported on mesoporous silica SBA-15 (VOx/SBA-15), were prepared. The mechanism for the synthesis of VOx/SBA-15 was elucidated by detailed characterization of the individual synthesis steps using XPS and vibrational spectroscopy. The resulting surface vanadium oxide species (0–2.3 V/nm2), grafted on the inner pores of the SBA-15 silica matrix, consists of tetrahedrally coordinated vanadia as inferred from UV–VIS- and Raman spectroscopy. The prepared vanadia model catalysts were tested in the partial oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde yielding high formaldehyde selectivities of 94% at 350 °C. XPS and Raman analysis of the catalyst after reaction reveal the presence of methoxy as well as a significant amount of carbonaceous species on the surface. Our results demonstrate that a detailed understanding of partial oxidation reactions requires the combination of complementary spectroscopic techniques ultimately within one experimental set-up.