Preparation, Structure‐Performance Relationship, and Reaction Network of ZnZSM‐5 for Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane with CO₂

Abstract

Ethylene (C2H4) is a major chemical for the modern society, and new technologies for its production are of strategic importance globally. Recently, oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (C2H6) using CO2 as a milder oxidant (CO2‐ODH) is proposed as a potential way for C2H4 production, and development of effective catalysts for the process is drawing wide attention. Here, we report on a facilely prepared ZSM‐5 supported Zn system, i. e., ZnZSM‐5, which showed great promise in CO2‐ODH. Samples with different Zn loadings were prepared and evaluated, and the highest performance was obtained over 0.05ZnZSM‐5 at 700 °C and a CO2:C2H6 feeding ratio of 5 : 1. During 340 min TOS, the C2H6 conversion decreased moderately from 36.2 % to 23.1 %, and the C2H4 yield stabilized at 21.9 % to 27.9 %. Based on systematic characterization and investigation of reaction conditions, the structure‐performance relationship and reaction network were discussed in detail.