Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Cyclohexane and Cyclohexene over Y-doped CeO2 Nanorods

Abstract

The Y-doped and pure CeO2 nanorods were tested as dehydrogenation catalysts in the oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclohexene and cyclohexane. The dehydrogenation process involves a redox process and the increased amount of oxygen vacancies improved the catalytic activity. At a temperature as low as 150 °C, compared to the temperature of ~600 °C required for vanadium catalysts, the Y-doped CeO2 nanorods exhibits a cyclohexane conversion of ~20% with a product distribution for 38% cyclohexene, 11% benzene, 1% 1,3-cyclohexanediene and 50% combustion products.