Composite ferrite catalyst for ethylbenzene dehydrogenation: Enhancement of potassium stability and catalytic performance by phase selective doping

Composite ferrite catalyst consisting of pristine irregular KFeO2 crystallites and well developed hexagonal nanoplates of selectively doped (2%Ce,2%Cr)-K2Fe22O34 was prepared, characterized (XRD, HR-TEM, SEM-EDX, BET) and tested for potassium volatilization and catalytic performance in ethylbenzene dehydrogenation. In comparison with separate parent ferrite phases the obtained composite catalyst exhibited superior overall catalytic performance (stability and activity), combining the best features of its components. Indeed, it exhibits the conversion and selectivity to styrene monomer of the most active phase of 2% Ce, 2% Cr-doped K2Fe22O34, whereas the thermal stability of potassium was even higher than in the most stable KFeO2 phase.

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► Functional morphological model of a robust ferrite EBDH catalyst was developed.
► Selective doping of K2Fe22O34 with Ce, Cr is essential for stable active and selective K-Fe-O catalyst.
► Surface ferrites equilibrium revealed from UHV studies was realized in practice.