Role of Cerium-Layered\nDouble Hydroxide-Derived Oxide\nDopants in Vanadium Phosphorus Oxide for Selective Oxidation of <i>n</i>‑Butane

The selective oxidation of <i>n</i>-butane\nto maleic\nanhydride by vanadium phosphorus oxide (VPO) catalyst plays an important\nrole in the high-value utilization of low-carbon alkanes. In the present\nwork, the effect of doping VPO with cerium-layered double-hydroxide-derived\noxide (Ce-LDO) on the catalytic performance in selective oxidation\nof <i>n</i>-butane was investigated. XRD, Raman, SEM, XPS,\nEPR, NH<sub>3</sub>-TPD and pyridine-IR characterizations were performed\non the catalysts to understand the mechanism of the promotion effects\nof Ce-LDO. The doping of Ce-LDO to VPO increases the <i>n</i>-butane conversion by 20% and the molar yield of maleic anhydride\nby approximately 10%, suggesting that the synergistic effect of Ce-LDO\nin acid–base and electronic properties could significantly\nenhance the catalytic performance of VPO. The addition of layered\ndouble hydroxides (LDOs) increases the amount of active crystal plane\nand density of acid site at VPO surface which lead to higher conversion\nof <i>n</i>-butane but lower selectivity toward MA. Further\naddition of Ce increases the relative amount of surface V<sup>4+</sup> phase and promotes the mobility of surface lattice oxygen, benefiting\nthe formation of MA. This work provides new insights for the VPO catalyst\ndesign and optimization for industrial production of maleic anhydride.