A study of “superacidic” MoO3/ZrO2 catalysts for methane oxidation

A series of zirconia-supported molybdenum oxide catalysts with different molybdenum loadings prepared using conditions reported to generate “superacidity” have been evaluated for their performance as catalysts for methane oxidation. A marked dependence of Mo content on activity has been observed, with the most active material being that with intermediate molybdenum content. 5 wt% MoO3/ZrO2 compares favourably with ZrxCe1-xO2 for methane combustion. The presence of MoO3 is observed to stabilise the tetragonal polymorph of ZrO2 and, as Mo content is increased, dispersed MoO3 crystallites are formed as evidenced by Raman spectroscopy. Temperature-programmed reduction studies evidence differences in the reduction behaviour of the materials as a function of loading. The results indicate that molybdenum oxide supported on monoclinic zirconia gives rise to the most active catalyst. It is tentatively suggested that the formation of a MoO3 monolayer during reaction may be of importance.