The properties and catalytic performance of PtSn/Mg(x-Ga)AlO catalysts for ethane dehydrogenation

Abstract

Mg(Ga)AlO hydrotalcite materials with different Ga contents are synthesized via the coprecipitation method and then used as supports for PtSn/Mg(x-Ga)AlO catalysts, in which Pt and Sn nanoparticles are deposited via the anion exchange method. The results indicate that a suitable content of Ga evidently enhances the performances and stability of ethane dehydrogenation for the PtSn/Mg(x-Ga)AlO catalysts. The S_BET of the catalyst increases with the addition of Ga (2–4.5 wt%). The total acidity and strong acid sites decrease significantly when a small quantity of Ga is added. It is favorable for the catalysts to possess a smaller size and better distribution of Pt particles. Moreover, a suitable content of Ga enhances the interaction between Sn and the support and inhibits the reduction of oxidized Sn species, which is helpful to enhance the interaction between the Pt and Sn atoms. The PtSn/Mg(2-Ga)AlO catalyst exhibits the best performance of all the catalysts during the ethane dehydrogenation reaction, with an average ethane conversion of 25.4% for a period of 2 h. No evident activity decrease is observed after 4 cycles of 2 h testing.