A novel, highly efficient catalyst for propane dehydrogenation

Platinum and tin deposited on a calcined hydrotalcite constitute a new and highly efficient catalyst for the dehydrogenation of propane. The catalyst is superior to conventional alumina-supported systems in terms of lifetime stability, activity, and propene selectivity. The catalysts were characteri zed by BET, XRD, SEM, TEM, CO chemisorption, and chemical analysis. The pre paration procedure used in the metal deposition step proved to be important for the performance of the catalyst. Impregnation of the calcined hydrotal cite in HCl-acidified aqueous solution with subsequent chlorine removal enh ances regenerability and long-term stability of the catalyst compared to im pregnation in ethanol. This is most likely due to a water-induced phase tra nsition in the hydrated hydrotalcite. CO adsorption results indicate that a ctivation is correlated with platinum dispersion.