Synthesis of Crystalline Microporous Mo–V–Bi Oxide for Selective (Amm)Oxidation of Light Alkanes

Bismuth (Bi) was successfully introduced into the crystalline orthorhombic Mo3VOx (MoVO) structure for the first time by using the ethylammonium cation (EtNH3+) as a structure-directing agent in hydrothermal synthesis, and the catalytic activities of MoVO-containing Bi (MoVBiO) for selective oxidation of ethane and ammoxidation of propane were compared with those of ternary MoVO. Bi and EtNH3+ were located in hexagonal and heptagonal channels in the MoVO structure, respectively. EtNH3+ could be removed without collapse of the crystal structure by appropriate heat treatment, leaving the heptagonal channels empty. The introduction of Bi had only a little effect on the catalytic activity for selective oxidation of ethane. On the other hand, the conversion of propane was significantly enhanced in propane ammoxidation. Acrylonitrile selectivity was also enhanced by the introduction of Bi, especially at high temperatures (>440 °C).