Selective oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde using modified iron-molybdate catalysts

Abstract

Methanol selective oxidation to formaldehyde over a modified Fe-Mo catalyst with two different stoichiometric (Mo/Fe atomic ratio = 1.5 and 3.0) was studied experimentally in a fixed bed reactor over a wide range of reaction conditions. The physicochemical characterization of the prepared catalysts provides evidence that Fe2(MoO4)3 is in fact the active phase of the catalyst. The experimental results of conversion of methanol and selectivity towards formaldehyde for various residence times were studied. The results showed that as the residence time increases the yield of formaldehyde decreases. Selectivity of formaldehyde decreases with increase in residence time. This result is attributable to subsequent oxidation of formaldehyde to carbon monoxide due to longer residence time.