ETHANE OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION OVER BORON OXIDES SUPPORTED ON YTTRIA-STABILIZED ZIRCONIA

The role of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as a carrier in the catal ytic oxidation of ethane and methane over B2O3/YSZ has been investigat ed. The electrochemical pumping of oxygen through YSZ to the B2O3/YSZ catalyst enhanced the conversion of ethane but had no effect on that o f methane. The addition of boron oxide to YSZ greater than 10 wt.-% ac celerated only the conversion of ethane very specifically. The XPS stu dies suggested the formation of peroxide ions as a result of the stron g interaction between boron oxide and the carrier. Very similar result s have been obtained for B2O3/Al2O3 catalysts. The role of YSZ has bee n suggested to increase the concentration of the surface peroxide ions that is responsible for the activation of ethane.