Characterization and reactivity of Group III oxides supported on niobium oxide

A series of group III oxides supported on niobia were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation. The bulk and surface composition of the samples as well as their structural and textural features were determined by chemical analysis, nitrogen adsorption, XRD, TG-DSC and XPS measurements. Acid/base properties were studied by adsorption microcalorimetry using ammonia and sulfur dioxide as probe molecules. The catalytic performances in non-oxidative dehydrogenation of propane have been studied and related to the physico-chemical characteristics of the samples.