Carbon nanotube-induced preparation of vanadium oxide nanorods: application as a catalyst for the partial oxidation of n-butane

摘要

A vanadium oxide-carbon nanotube composite was prepared by solution-baesd hydrolysis of NH4VO3 in the presence carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes induce the nucleation of the 1D vanadium oxide nanostructures, with the nuclei growing into long freestanding nanorods. The vanadium oxide nanorods with lengths up to 20 µm and widths of 5-15 nm exhibit a well-ordered crystalline structure. Catalytic tests show that the composite with nanostructured vanadium oxide is active for the partial oxidation of n-butane to malaic anhydride at 300 °C