g Al2O3 sheet stabilized isolate Co2+ for catalytic propane dehydrogenation
Abstract Co based catalysts are promising alternatives to replace Pt and Cr based catalysts for propane dehydrogenation (PDH) in view of the catalytic activity for C H bond activation, low cost, and low toxicity. However, the reduction of unstable CoOx species and coke deposition cause serious catalyst deactivation. In this work, a sheet shaped Co Al2O3 catalyst comprising of isolate Co2+ sites shows a high intrinsic activity (specific reaction rate 16 mmol g 1 h 1) and catalytic stability in highly selective PDH reaction >97% C3H6 selectivity) Extensive characterization demonstrates that the tetrahedral Co2+ isolated site is stabilized by the g Al2O3 matrix, facilitating propylene desorption to inhibit formation of coke and other byproducts and to free the active Co sites.