Lanthanum-group elements promoted PtGa catalysts for propane dehydrogenation: Exploring key performance descriptors

Propylene, a crucial component in the chemical industry, holds a prominent position as the second-largest material within petrochemicals, serving as a foundational element for major synthetic materials and essential industrial chemicals such as acetone and isopropanol. Conventional propylene production methods confront environmental challenges, promoting the investigation of alternative pathways, such as direct propane dehydrogenation. While commercial PtSn or PtGa-based catalysts have demonstrated success in propane dehydrogenation, further enhancements are imperative to mitigate operational costs. Therefore, this study utilizes four lanthanum-group elements (La, Ce, Pr, and Nd) with varying loadings (1 wt%, 3 wt%, and 5 wt%) to modify PtGa/Al₂O₃ catalyst, resulting in improved conversion, selectivity, and stability. Furthermore, this research establishes a clear structure-activity relationship based on some key performance descriptors, underscoring the effectiveness influence of reducibility, total acid concentration, and total coke content in conversion, selectivity, and stability. The impact of strong metal-support interactions on conversion and stability should also be considered, highlighting the complexities in accessing catalytic performances. The exploration of diverse performance descriptors revealed in this study contributes to the rational design of catalysts for propane dehydrogenation, addressing ongoing efforts to refine and tailor catalysts for efficient propane dehydrogenation. This study also offers valuable insights for optimizing catalytic performance across various industrial reactions, further advancing the field of catalysis and promoting sustainable and efficient chemical processes.