Features of propane conversion in the presence of SmVO3 and SmVO4

Features of propane conversion in the presence of samarium vanadite and samarium vanadate, both produced via solid-phase synthesis, are studied. It is shown that SmVO3 catalyzes mainly the propane cracking process to form methane and ethylene, while SmVO4 equally accelerates both cracking and the dehydrogenation of propane. Based on the results from catalytic experiments, energies of activation are calculated for the thermal cracking of propane (104 kJ/mol) and the conversion of propane in the presence of SmVO3 (39 kJ/mol) and SmVO4 (42 kJ/mol). The thermal stability of SmVO4 in a hydrogen atmosphere is studied via temperature-programmed reduction, while SmVO3 stability in an oxidizing environment is studied by DTA. Energies of activation for the reduction of SmVO4 (75 kJ/mol) and the oxidation of SmVO3 (244 kJ/mol) are calculated using the Kissinger method. © 2016, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.