A series of catalysts with vanadia contents varying between 1 and 14 wt % were prepared by the wet
impregnation technique on zirconia and phosphorus-modified zirconia. The catalysts were characterized
by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy, 51V, 31P, and 1H solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy
(FT-Raman), diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS), and Brunauer−Emmett−Teller (BET) surface area measurements. The activities of the catalysts were determined by an
ethanol partial oxidation reaction. 51V solid-state NMR studies of both series of catalysts indicated the
presence of tetrahedral vanadate species at lower loadings, and octahedrally coordinated vanadium species
at higher concentrations. DRIFTS studies of the catalysts were in conformity with NMR studies as the
vibrations corresponding to tetrahedral vanadate species were observed at low V2O5 loadings and at higher
vanadia contents the vibrations corresponding to polymeric decavanadate species were seen. All of the
XRD, ESR, 51V solid-state NMR, FT-Raman, and DRIFTS results indicated weaker interaction of vanadia
with zirconia support upon phosphate modification. Activity studies were in agreement with spectroscopic
data, as reflected in higher ethanol partial oxidation activities of the V2O5/ZrO2 catalysts.