Catalysis Letters, Vol.27, No.3-4, 259-265, 1994
Formation of the Rhodium Oxides Rh2O3 and Rho2 in Rh/NaY
The oxidation states of Rh in NaY supported catalysts have been studied by temperature programmed reduction (TPR). After calcination of the exchanged catalyst to 380-degrees-C, both RhO2 and Rh2O3 are identified, besides small amounts of RhO+ and Rh3+. Quantitative reduction is possible for samples calcined at temperatures not exceeding 500-degrees-C. Re-oxidation of the reduced samples leads to formation of RhO2 and Rh2O3, with negligible protonolysis to Rh3+. The dioxide prevails after re-oxidation at 320-degrees-C, but the sesquioxide after oxidation at 500-degrees-C. In the temperature regime where both oxides coexist the reduction of NO with propane is catalyzed even at an O2/C3H8 ratio of 10. Total oxidation of propane reaches 80% at 350-degrees-C.