The dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with CO2 over CexZr1 − xO2 solid solutions

• CexZr1 − xO2 solid solutions are formed by a hydrothermal synthesis.
• The surface area and pore structure of CexZr1 − xO2 are improved.
• The order for the mobile capacity of lattice oxygen is CZ70 > CZ50 > CZ30 > CeO2.
• The catalytic activity of CexZr1 − xO2 catalyst is increased.

With the purpose of changing the lattice structure of CeO2 and improving the transmission capacity of lattice oxygen, CexZr1 − xO2 solid solutions with different Zr proportions were synthesized using a hydrothermal method and applied in oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene with CO2 at 550 °C. The Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 showed the highest activity with an ethylbenzene conversion of 55% and styrene selectivity above 86%. Analytical characterization showed that the lattice oxygen mobile capacity of CexZr1 − xO2 solid solutions was enhanced, corresponding to the order as Ce0.3Zr0.7O2 > Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 > Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 > CeO2. The oxygen storage/release capacity, higher surface area and pore distribution of Ce–Zr mixed oxides play important roles in the activity of ethylbenzene dehydrogenation to styrene with CO2.

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