Efficient structured catalysts for ethylene production through the ODE reaction: Ni and Ni–Ce on ceramic foams

•Ni and Ni–Ce/alumina catalysts were appropriately deposited onto ceramic foams.•Catalytic coatings were morphologically uniform and mechanically stable.•Ni and Ni–Ce/Al2O3 structured systems were active and selective for the ODE reaction.•The addition of cerium significantly increased the ethylene productivity.

Ni and Ni–Ce oxides alumina-supported formulations onto alpha-alumina foams were prepared, characterized and evaluated in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODE) reaction. The catalysts were appropriately deposited on ceramic foams with a uniform, mechanically stable coverage. Besides, the structured systems were active and selective in the ODE reaction, demonstrating that the incorporation method was successful to obtain adequate active sites. Cerium markedly improved the ethane conversion due to a synergistic effect with nickel oxide, thus leading to a significant increment in ethylene productivity compared to that of the cerium-free system. An optimal Ce/Ni ratio was found which maximized the catalytic performance.

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