Ni-doped Co/SPP zeolite catalyst with optimized metal oxide-support interaction for propane dehydrogenation to propylene

Abstract

Propane dehydrogenation (PDH) is a potential secure technique for manufacturing propylene. Transition-metal-based catalysts for propane dehydrogenation reaction, particularly Co²⁺, have been developed rapidly over the past few years. However, determining the interaction between Co²⁺ species and zeolites has proven to be a formidable challenge in achieving the controllable construction of Co species as active sites for dehydrogenation. In this study, we synthesized a nickel–cobalt catalyst supported on self-pillared pentasil zeolite (CoNi@SPP) with a moderate metal oxide-support interaction for the PDH reaction. Specifically, the interaction is achieved by the electron transfer between nickel and cobalt, which subsequently reduces the strength of the Co²⁺ interaction with the silicon support. Further insights provided by pyridine IR spectra and NH₃-TPD emphasize that such moderate interaction results in an increased number of Lewis acid sites, ultimately intensifying the PDH produce propylene and H₂. The detailed study of catalyst’s properties provides new inspirations into utilizing additive to optimize metal oxide-support interactions, thus facilitating the development of highly active cobalt-based catalysts for propane dehydrogenation.