A novel family of mixed gallium aluminum phosphorus oxynitrides: their synthesis, characterization and utilization in heterogeneous catalysis

A new family of nitrided phosphates, the oxynitrides (Ga,Al)PON, have been prepared by nitridation under ammonia flow in the 500–1000°C temperature range of galloaluminophosphates obtained by sol-gel route. These (Ga,Al)PON oxynitrides, in which the P/(Ga+Al) atomic ratio and the nitrogen content can vary both, are amorphous powders characterized by high specific surface areas up to 300 m2 g−1. These new materials have been tested as supported platinum catalysts in the isobutane dehydrogenation and compared to other catalysts: The Pt/(Ga,Al)PON catalysts present the highest conversion and selectivity rates in isobutene.