Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Temperature-programmed Deoxygenation of Acetic Acid on Molybdenum Carbide Catalysts
Published on: February 7, 2017
Dialectical Effects of MoO3 Modification on the Pt/Al2O3 Catalyst for VOC Combustion due to the Molecular Structure
Jiawei Yang1, Yu Zhan1, Qing Tong1
1State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Vehicle Emissions Control, Center of Modern Analysis, Key Laboratory of Mesoscopic Chemistry of MOE, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
Acid modification of platinum catalysts (Pt/Al2O3) shows varied effects on volatile organic compound (VOC) combustion, depending on the VOC
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
Background:
- Acid modification is common for enhancing noble metal catalysts in volatile organic compound (VOC) combustion.
- The influence of VOC molecular structure on acid modification effectiveness remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular structure sensitivity of acid modification on Pt/Al2O3 catalysts.
- To elucidate the structure-activity relationships in VOC catalytic combustion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized MoO3-modified Pt/Al2O3 as model catalysts.
- Employed probe reactions involving VOCs with diverse molecular structures.
- Conducted characterizations to analyze surface acidity and metal sites.
Main Results:
- MoO3 modification exhibited a dual effect (promotional or inhibitory) on Pt/Al2O3 activity, contingent on VOC molecular structure.
- Enhanced acidity and metallic Pt sites benefited alkane oxidation by easing adsorption and promoting C-H activation.
- Overstrong adsorption of pi-bonded VOCs (toluene, propene) on modified catalysts hindered deep oxidation.
Conclusions:
- This study systematically reveals the molecular structure sensitivity of acid modification for Pt catalysts.
- Findings guide rational catalyst design for efficient VOC combustion based on molecular structure.
Related Concept Videos
Radical Oxidation of Allylic and Benzylic Alcohols
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Oxidation of Alcohols
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:

