Abstract: A series of MoVBiTeO/SiO2 catalyst samples with different Mo/V ratios were prepared by the impregnation method. The catalyst structure, reducibility, and acidity were characterized by XRD, Raman, XPS, TPR, and FT-IR techniques, and the catalytic performance of the catalyst for selective oxidation of propane to acrolein was evaluated. The results indicated that the interaction between Mo and V components modified the catalyst structure, and the redox cycle of V5++Mo5+V4++Mo6+was formed. The improvement in the reducibility of the catalyst might be responsible for the increase in propane conversion. The V and Mo components were responsible for B acid and L acid, respectively. When the Mo/V ratio increased, the amount of B acid decreased, and the catalyst selectivity for acrolein increased. Among the investigated catalyst samples, the sample with a Mo/V molar ratio of 6 exhibited the best catalytic performance.

Key words: molybdenum, vanadium, bismuth, tellurium, composite oxide, silica, supported catalyst, propane, selective oxidation, acrolein