Question

Why ${\mathrm{V}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_5$ is used in Contact Process?

Answer 1

• ${\mathrm{V}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_5$ is used as a catalyst. Catalysts are used to increase the rate of reaction.
• Here, ${\mathrm{V}}_2$${\mathrm{O}}_5$ is used as a catalyst to reduce the higher temperature requirements and it increases the rate of reaction as well.
• Vanadium pentoxide is the catalyst used in the converter stage of the contact process.
• Vanadium Pentoxide acts like a catalyst to speed up the conversion of SO₂ to SO₃ as it is a very slow process. The equation of the reaction is given below.
• $2{\mathrm{SO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)+{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)\underset{450°\mathrm{C}}{\overset{{\mathrm{V}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_5}{\to }}{\mathrm{SO}}_3\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$
• Note: Vanadium pentoxide is not reacting in this reaction but is acting as a platform for the reaction to occur at a rapid pace.