Performance of metal-oxide-promoted LiCl/sulfated-zirconia catalysts in the ethane oxidative dehydrogenation into ethene

The effects of some transition- and lanthanide-metal oxides in LiCl/sulfate d-zirconia (SZ) catalysts on catalytic behavior in the oxidative dehydrogen ation of ethane were investigated. It is found that modification of LiCl/SZ by metal oxides significantly improves the catalytic activity and ethene y ield. Among those additives, Ni and Nd oxides show the best promoting effec t in terms of ethane conversion and ethene yield. 93% ethane conversion wit h 83% selectivity to ethene has been achieved over the Nd2O3-LiCl/SZ cataly st at 650(degrees)C. In addition, those oxide-promoted LiCl/SZ catalysts ar e also found to exhibit a longer stability in catalytic performance. Metal- oxide additives change the chemical structure and surface redox properties, which accounts for the enhancement of activity.