Application of novel catalysts supported on carbonaceous materials in the direct non-oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane to olefins

Abstract

New carbon-supported Pt catalysts were characterized and evaluated in the direct non-oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane to butenes. After a comparison with catalysts supported on oxidic materials, Pt catalysts supported on carbon nanotubes and Vulcan carbon showed the best activity and selectivity to olefins, and a low deactivation throughout the reaction time. This fact is attributed to the chemical properties of such carbonaceous materials, which lead to a good metal-support interaction and metallic dispersion, excellent accessibility to reactants and to the formation of a suitable metallic phase, thus favoring the dehydrogenation reaction and inhibiting collateral ones. Pt catalysts supported on Vulcan carbon and carbon nanotubes become very promising candidates for the large-scale development of catalysts applied in the direct light paraffin dehydrogenation process.