Design and tailoring of advanced catalytic process for light alkanes upgrading

Abstract

The wide and huge reservation of shale gas around the world has drastically altered the global energy and chemicals market, boosting the productions of hydrocarbons and their derivatives by providing massive light alkanes at low cost. Direct conversion of alkanes into the value-added chemicals remains energy-intensive and requires harsh reaction conditions due to its ultrahigh C H bond strength. Hence, the quest of alternative reaction pathway for alkane conversion into target product with high yield under mild conditions for a long-term operation emerges as the key technique of shale gas utilization. In this review, we summarize important progresses in the catalytic conversions of light alkanes with emphases on the design and preparation of novel heterogeneous catalysts, as well as the development of advanced processes in the recent 10 years. The perspectives of potential areas for future study are also provided.

General Descriptors for CO2-Assisted Selective C–H/C–C Bond Scission in Ethane

“…One of the crucial points for simultaneously upgrading alkanes and CO 2 is how to control the selective scission of C–H and C–C bonds in alkanes. ,,− The design of selective catalysts remains challenging due to the lack of structural and mechanistic insights, in particular, under reaction conditions. Our previous studies of bimetallic (PtNi x , , PtCo x , NiFe x , and PdFe x )-derived catalysts showed promise in achieving the desired C–H and/or C–C bond scission.…”

Catalysis of Alloys: Classification, Principles, and Design for a Variety of Materials and Reactions

“…Light olefins, including ethylene, propylene, and butene, are important raw materials in industry for the production of a wide variety of chemicals. − However, the supply of light olefins from conventional processes cannot meet the growing global demand due to the advent of shale gas resources. Consequently, alternative processes, including on-purpose alkane dehydrogenation, methanol-to-olefins, and Fischer–Tropsch-to-olefins, have been intensively studied to meet this demand. − Among these alternative processes, alkane dehydrogenation has been regarded as the most promising because of its high light olefin selectivity and the abundance of alkanes in shale gas.…”

“…Because of its high ability in C–H scission and relatively low ability in C–C cleavage, Pt is the most effective element in the dehydrogenation of alkanes. − However, the high endothermicity of alkane dehydrogenation requires high operating temperatures to attain high olefin yields. Because of the high reaction temperatures, even the Pt-based catalysts often suffer from catalyst degradation due to coke accumulation and/or nanoparticle sintering.…”

“…Therefore, researchers have attempted to modify the characteristics of Pt through the addition of inert or less active metals and tailoring the support properties. Today, the geometric feature of Pt has been regarded as the most important factor in rendering a large Δ E value in the dehydrogenation of propane. − Propylene can adsorb on Pt sites with two configuration modes: (1) stronger di-σ and (2) weaker π modes. The presence of large Pt ensembles ( e.g.…”

Metal‐organic framework derived porous structures towards lithium rechargeable batteries

“…MOFs are classified porous crystalline materials consisted with covalently bonding metal 'hubs' and polytope organic 'struts'. With special chemical and physical properties based on abundant inorganic and organic components that can be changed according to their composition, size, shape, geometry, and manner of branching, MOFs enable a variety of applications, including gas separation, [118][119][120][121][122] storage, 97,117,[123][124][125][126][127][128] sensing, [129][130][131][132][133][134][135] catalysis, 110,[136][137][138][139][140][141][142] and drugs. [143][144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155]…”