High transformation of propane in reaction with CO2 to propylene on ZrO2-combined Fe-based catalysts

Abstract

Propane dehydrogenation coupled with CO₂ transformation has attracted interest for facilitating propane conversion. The performance of Fe₂O₃–nZrO₂ catalysts obtained using an oxalate coprecipitation procedure was studied for the first time for propane dehydrogenation in a CO₂ atmosphere. It was found that an appropriate combination of ZrO₂ significantly promoted the transformation of propane. On Fe₂O₃–nZrO₂ (n = 2–4), initial propane conversion (>38%) and CO₂ conversion (>27%) were achieved at 550 °C and a set contact time, with a propylene yield above 33%. By means of characterizing the active phase evolution, the effects of surface acidity–basicity and carbon deposition were revealed. The interaction between the iron species and ZrO₂ for preserving the active Fe₃O₄ phase from transition to Fe, and for promoting the adsorption of propane and CO₂ on the respective acidic and the basic sites is discussed.