Catalytic Properties of Layered and Pillared Buserite

The catalytic properties of Na‐buserite and Keggin ion‐pillared buserite (abbreviated as KPB) in the oxidation of ethane, were investigated with varied mixtures of ethane and air. Na‐buserite Na4Mn14O26 xH2O is a layered manganese oxide, KPB was prepared by the introduction of aluminium Keggin ions, [Al13O4(OH)24(H2O)12]7+ into the interlayers. Pillaring of the interlayers increases the active surface area participating in the reactions, as indicated by greater conversion over KPB than over a Na‐buserite catalyst. In an oxygen‐rich environment, complete combustion of ethane is achieved at temperatures ≈︁ 350 °C over KPB, and the structure of KPB is retained. The structure of KPB is less stable than that of Na‐buserite in an oxygen‐poor environment, and it disintegrates at large conversion. This phenomenon is explained in terms of the oxygen deficiency in the interlayer at a large reaction rate. Similar effects were absent from an oxygen‐rich environment. The variation of the product selectivity of Na‐buserite and KPB catalysts is discussed in terms of the presence of interlayer reaction sites.