Abstract
In this study, a complete catalytic propane oxidation was investigated by using four different supported Au-Mn catalytic systems. Results showed that addition of manganese to a supported gold catalyst promoted lattice oxygen activity in metal oxides, such as ceria, zirconia, and titania, which resulted in an enhanced catalytic activity of an Au-Mn catalyst because of formation of a dinuclear compound, either Au5Mn2 or Au2Mn. A competition between Au and Mn to capture free lattice oxygen, dominated by manganese, was observed. In general, Ce 3d3/2, Au 4f7/2, and Mn 2p1/2 orbitals are related to dominant elemental species that are responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity of the Au-Mn catalyst in the complete oxidation of propane.