Au Nanoclusters on Vanadium-Doped ZrO₂ Nanoparticles for Propylene Oxidation: An Investigation into the Impact of V

V-doped ZrO₂ support materials were synthesized through a hydrothermal method, followed by a deposition-precipitation process to load Au clusters using an H₄AuClO₄ precursor. This study investigated the impact of vanadium doping on propylene epoxidation over the corresponding Au-supported catalysts. Vanadium incorporation significantly enhanced propylene conversion and promoted acrolein production, leading to reduced propylene oxide selectivity. Propylene epoxidation at higher temperatures accelerated the decomposition of oxygenates into CO₂. Vanadium addition to ZrO₂ altered the interactions between Au and V-doped ZrO₂, thereby modifying the chemical states of Zr, Au, and V and forming surface oxygen vacancies and active oxygen species. These changes defined the catalytic performance of the materials.