Low-temperature, highly selective, highly stable Nb2O5–NiO/Ni-foam catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane

Abstract

A Nb₂O₅–NiO/Ni-foam catalyst engineered from nano- to macro-scale is developed by hydrothermal growth of NiC₂O₄ onto a Ni-foam and subsequent (niobium ammonium oxalate)-modification and calcination, which is highly active/selective and stable for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene. External and partial coverage of the NiC₂O₄-derived NiO nanorods with Nb₂O₅ lumps, coupled with a foam-structure enhanced heat transfer, is paramount for high-efficiency ethylene production.