Catalysts for the production of styrene from ethylbenzene: Redox and deactivation study

► Pulse plant has been designed to carry out transient experiments of four catalysts. ► Activity and coke generation of catalysts in ethylbenzene dehydrogenation to produce styrene were studied. ► CO2 is able to reoxidize the catalysts and partially regenerate it. ► MnO2-ZrO2 catalyst exhibited the best performance and stability. ► The addition of the appropriate amount of CO2 can counteract the catalyst deactivation to operate continuously.