Hierarchical PtIn/Mg(Al)O derived from reconstructed PtIn-hydrotalcite-like compounds for highly efficient propane dehydrogenation

Abstract

The challenges facing propane dehydrogenation are to solve the Pt sintering and carbon deposition. This paper provides a new way to disperse and stabilize Pt species and resist carbon deposition. Highly dispersed Pt species were topologically transformed from reconstructed PtIn-hydrotalcite-like precursors in a flower-like hierarchical microstructure. The lattice confinement of reconstructed hydrotalcite-like precursor is in favor of stabilizing the highly dispersed Pt species, and the hierarchical microstructure is an important factor to prolong its lifetime by enhancing tolerance to carbon deposition. In propane dehydrogenation, the propene selectivity decreases in the sequences of catalyst in flower-like > single-plate > block mass with small, flakeys. A propene selectivity of >97% with a conversion of 48% at 600 °C has been achieved over a flower-like PtIn/Mg(Al)O catalyst. Additionally, no visible Pt sintering can even be observed on this catalyst after a reaction time of 190 h. This strategy provides an effective and feasible alternative for the facile preparation of highly dispersed metal catalysts.