Fe(III) was supported on Sb(V) oxide grafted on the silica gel surface and directly on the silica gel surface using ion-exchange and impregnation processes producing Fe/Sb/SiO2 and Fe/SiO2, respectively. The catalytic conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde was much more efficient using Fe/Sb/SiO2 than Fe/SiO2 as catalyst. This higher efficiency of the former catalyst takes into account two aspects: a) the new phase FeSbO4 formed when Fe/Sb/SiO2 is heat treated and, b) it is higher dispersion on the matrix.
modified silica; silica supported iron antimony; phase ethanol oxidation
