Effect of Cu promoter and alumina phases on Pt/Al2O3 for propane dehydrogenation

Abstract

We investigated the effects of different Cu weight ratio on theta or gamma-Al2O3 which were impregnated with platinum in terms of catalytic activity for propane dehydrogenation and physicochemical properties. 1.5 wt% Pt, 0-10 wt% Cu catalyst supported on theta-Al2O3 or gamma-Al2O3 was prepared by incipient wetness co-impregnation. Enhanced Pt dispersion by increasing Cu contents in gamma-Al2O3 supported catalyst was confirmed via XRD and XPS. Pt and CuO was separated in Pt-Cu/theta-Al2O3, but Pt-Cu alloy was identified after reduction treatment. Also, adding Cu in Pt/Al2O3 makes catalyst's acidity lower and this property led to increased propylene yield in propane dehydrogenation. However, Pt3Cu was not good for yield of PDH, which was confirmed in Pt-10Cu/theta-Al2O3 through XRD.