Optimum ratio of K2O to CeO2 in a wet-chemical method prepared catalysts for ethylbenzene dehydrogenation

•A wet-chemical method produced catalysts exhibited relatively high activity for EBDH.•Combined action of Fe3 + and Ce3 + plays a positive role in EBDH.•The catalyst with the K2O/CeO2 ratio of 1.40 has the highest catalytic activity for EBDH.

Fe2O3–K2O–CeO2 catalysts with various ratios of K2O to CeO2 were prepared by the wet-chemical method. Their phase compositions, reducibility, valence states of elements and catalytic activities for ethylbenzene dehydrogenation were studied. The results demonstrated that when the weight ratio of K2O: CeO2 was 1.40, the catalyst had highest ethylbenzene conversion and styrene selectivity, which were attributed to the optimization of active phase content and electron transfer ability, etc. Further, higher CeO2 content not only enhanced styrene selectivity, but also prolonged the life cycle of catalysts.

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