The oxygen exchange from O2/C18O2 with surfaces of vanadium pentoxide and alkali metal-promoted vanadium pentoxide catalysts
The oxygen exchange reaction between O2/C18O2 and the surfaces of vanadium pentoxide and promoted vanadium pentoxide catalysts has been studied in a circulation system using a quartz differential reactor. Isotopic compositions were analysed with an in-line mass spectrometer. Alkali metal sulphates, Li to Cs, were added to the pentoxide as individual promoters at a concentration level of 9 mol % and the effect of variation of promoter concentration was examined with melts containing potassium sulphate at additional levels of 1, 2, and 5 mol%. The structures of the solids were studied by X-ray diffraction and by ATR and transmission infrared spectroscopy. The latter results have been used to explain the two activity series for the exchange rates: (i)V2O5 < Na < Li < K < Rb < Cs (melts) and (ii) V2O5 < 1 mol% < 2 mol% < 5 mol% < 9 mol% (K), in terms of additive effects on the relative abundance and strength of identified vanadium/oxygen linkages in the surfaces of the catalysts.