CeO2 morphology strongly affects NbOx–CeO2 interactions and structures of NbOx/CeO2 catalysts.
Monomeric Nb and Nb4+ species are most abundant respectively on r-CeO2-500 and c-CeO2.
NbOx suppresses surface reduction of c-CeO2 and r-CeO2-500 but promotes that of r-CeO2-700.
0.6Nb/r-CeO2-500 is most active in catalyzing low-temperature ODHP reaction.