Nb effect in the nickel oxide-catalyzed low-temperature oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane

► High surface area Nb-NiO nanocomposites are prepared by a citrate method. ► NiO nanocrystallites (<13 nm) are covered by an amorphous Nb-rich NixNby>xO phase. ► Nb0.03-Ni0.97O and Nb0.04-Ni0.96O are the most efficient catalysts for low-temperature ethane ODH.