EFFECT OF TITANIA ON THE PROPERTIES OF ALUMINA-SUPPORTED MOLYBDENA CATALYSTS

Different characterization techniques and a catalytic reaction, oxidation of ethanol, have been used to determine the properties of molybdenum oxide supported on alumina containing titanium oxide. The characterization techniques indicate that titanium ions are very well dispersed and strongly interacting with alumina. On this support, the reduction of molybdenum oxide starts at lower temperature than when supported on pure alumina and, at low reduction temperature, a certain stabilization of Mo5+ ions against deeper reduction is favored. This higher stabilization of Mo5+ could explain the higher selectivity to acetaldehyde observed when titanium is present in the sample.