CrOx/SiO2 catalysts prepared by metal vapour synthesis: Physical–chemical characterisation and functional testing in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

In the present work catalysts prepared by a new perspective method of metal vapour synthesis were studied in the reaction of propane oxidative dehydrogenation in the presence of CO2 as a mild oxidant. This method let to obtain on the catalyst surface a high dispersed chromium species even at high chromium loadings. On the surface of the catalysts with the chromium loading up to 6.0 wt% only chromate species were found, the further increase of the chromium loading results in the appearance of the α-Cr2O3. The catalyst with 6.0 wt% demonstrated also the highest catalytic activity with the yield in propene 69%.