Obtaining highly stable T_d‐Co(II) site by coupling hydrothermal method and CO₂ introduction for propane dehydrogenation

Abstract

The preparation of Co‐based catalysts with a single, highly dispersed active site is challenging and crucial for the high‐performance propane dehydrogenation (PDH) owing to harsh reaction conditions. Herein, the synergetic strategies including catalyst hydrothermal treatment and CO2 introduction are adopted to realize the highly dispersed and stable Td‐Co(II) site and applied for PDH. According to systematic characterizations and catalytic performance evaluation, the facial hydrothermal treatment improves the C3H6 formation rate from 456 to 771 mmol C3H6 gCo−1 h−1 and catalyst stability via the transformation of Co3O4 species to the Td‐Co(II) species. Meanwhile, the further introduction of CO2 into the PDH system as a protective reagent for Co state would facilitate PDH with superior catalytic performance with TOF of 700 h−1 and C3H6 formation rate of 970 mmol C3H6 gCo−1 h−1. It is revealed that the introduction of CO2 maintains Co state with the Td‐Co(II) species via inhabiting the generation of metallic Co spices.