Study of the Adsorption/Oxidation of Methanol over Vanadium Pentoxide

Abstract

A study of the electric properties of sintered polycrystalline samples of V 2 O 5 under a CH 3 OH atmosphere and without added extra oxygen has been performed as a function of time. The gas composition was determined by mass spectrometry in the range 373–473 K. It has been concluded from the results that initial adsorption and further oxidation of CH 3 OH to different products occurs. A possible mechanism for reaction of the intermediates is suggested. The presence of (CH 3 O) 2 CH 2 (methylal), H 2 CO, CO, HCOOCH 3 , CO 2 , CH 3 OCH 2 OH (hemimethylal) and H 2 O has been detected by mass spectrometry, their relative amounts being dependent on both the temperature and time of contact.