Novel catalytic ceramic papers applied to oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane

Abstract

The aim of this work was the development of novel structured catalysts applied to the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. Different Ni-based catalytic formulations promoted with cerium were incorporated onto ceramic papers and were tested in the reaction. Ceramic papers presented an interconnected 3D-network of silica-alumina fibers almost totally covered by the binder agent (Al2O3) and provided an adequate environment for the deposition of the catalyst. The catalytic results indicated that the paper with Ce/Ni = 0.17 atomic ratio showed the highest ethylene productivity, due to the presence of the smallest crystalline domain size of NiO and the partial incorporation of the Ni cation into the ceria lattice.