Acid-leaching treated ZnO-based materials as highly efficient microwave catalysts for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane by CO2

Abstract

The oxidative dehydrogenation of propane by CO2 (CO2-ODHP) reaction has received much attention for its potential to produce high-value propylene from two underutilized reactants and to eliminate CO2. However, it is a great challenge to maintain high propylene selectivity with high propane conversion for CO2-ODHP reaction, especially for non-expensive and environmentally friendly catalysts. Herein, a new and effective ZnO/S-1(1.0)-based microwave catalyst for CO2-ODHP was developed by a simple impregnation method and acid leaching treatment. Interestingly, the acid leaching treatment significantly enhanced the catalytic activity and stability. Importantly, both the conversion of propane and the selectivity of propylene were significantly enhanced in the microwave catalytic reaction mode (MCRM). An amazingly high conversion of ∼60 % and selectivity of ∼92 % is achieved. This method of significantly improving the catalytic activity and stability after a simple acid leaching treatment can provide some inspiration for light alkane dehydrogenation reactions.