Catalytic oxidative cracking of n-propane over nanosized gold supported La2O3 catalysts

Nanosized gold deposited bare and sulfated La2O3 samples were synthesized and utilized for catalytic oxidative cracking of n-propane. Bare La2O3 showed only 10% conversion with 15% olefin selectivity, however significant enhancement in the conversion of n-propane was observed when La2O3 support was deposited with 0.2 wt% gold (25% conversion and 39% olefin selectivity) at 550 °C. Further improvement in conversion (46%) and in 53% selectivity was...