Selective oxidation of alcohols over Si3N4-supported silver catalysts

Silver-containing catalysts supported on ceramic silicon nitrides and modified with Zr or Al are considered. The catalytic activities of the catalysts in the dehydrogenation and oxidative dehydrogenation of ethanol into acetaldehyde are compared. The introduction of oxygen into the reaction mixture decreases the temperature of 100% ethanol conversion to 270A degrees C and increases the acetaldehyde selectivity to 95% for all of the catalysts. According to temperature-programmed reduction data, the simultaneous presence of Fe and Ag on the catalyst surface enhances the activity of the supported catalysts. It is hypothesized that the Ag/Fe interface plays the key role in the formation of active sites on the catalyst surface.