Propane dehydrogenation over the PtSn catalyst supported on alumina-modified SBA-15

The structure and catalytic properties of PtSn catalyst supported on Al2O3-modified SBA-15 (Al2O3/SBA-15) have been studied by using various experimental techniques combined with propane dehydrogenation tests. It has been shown that the PtSn/Al2O3/SBA-15 catalyst exhibits higher activity than PtSn/SBA-15 catalyst and higher stability than conventional PtSn/γ-Al2O3 catalyst for propane dehydrogenation. The characterization results of the catalysts have revealed that on pure SBA-15 tin is easier to be reduced to metallic state due to weak interaction of Sn species with SBA-15 support, resulting in lower H2 uptake and thus lower catalytic activity of PtSn/SBA-15. Modifying the internal pores of SBA-15 by alumina can enhance the interaction between Sn and Al2O3/SBA-15 support, resulting in the increase of catalytic activity for propane dehydrogenation. Moreover, the PtSn/Al2O3/SBA-15 catalyst has larger bare fraction of Pt surface after coke deposition, leading to higher catalytic stability than the PtSn/γ-Al2O3 catalyst.