PtSnNa@SUZ-4-catalyzed propane dehydrogenation

•Propane dehydrogenation using SUZ-4 zeolite-supported catalyst.•Mechanism studies on the sodium ion content effect.•Practical and stable catalyst that led to high propane conversion and high propylene selectivity.

SUZ-4-based Pt-Sn catalysts with different sodium ion contents were prepared through sequential impregnation method. The structural and catalytic properties of the catalysts were studied by using various techniques combined with micro-reactor tests. The experimental results showed that PtSnNa/SUZ-4 catalysts exhibited high durability, high propylene selectivity and high stability with adequate sodium ion content. Sodium ion additives neutralized the strong acid sites and prevented the formation of coke. However, excess sodium ion not only reduced tin species to metallic tin, which reduced the catalyst activity by forming PtSn alloys, but also led to more Pt particles inside the pore of zeolite, which were easily deactivated by coke. It was found that catalysts with the sodium ion content at 0.5-1.5wt % led to the highest propane conversion and propylene selectivity.

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