Abstract
MMgAlO mixed oxide catalysts (M= Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag and Pd) obtained from layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors calcined at 1023K were used in the complete oxidation of methane and the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption, EDX and H2-TPR experiments. In the catalytic complete oxidation of methane, the Pd-based catalyst has been proved the most active, but the less stable catalyst. Other mixed oxides containing transition metals have been tested and their catalytic activity followed the order: MgAlO≈FeMgAlO < NiMgAlO < ZnMgAlO MnMgAlO> NiMgAlO > ZnMgAlO > FeMgAlO > CuMgAlO. No straight correlation between the H2-TPR reducibility and the catalytic performances of the samples was found in the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane into propene. The effects of the contact time and of the propane-to-oxygen molar ratio on the catalytic performances of the most active CoMgAlO, MnMgAlO and NiMgAlO mixed oxides have been investigated.