Ultra-dispersed Pt nanoparticles on SAPO-34/γ-Al2O3 support for efficient propane dehydrogenation

Ultra-dispersed precious metal nanoparticles with good thermal stability are highly required for heterogeneous catalysis. However, the efficient and effective strategy to disperse ultra-fine precious metal nanoparticles at high reaction temperature is still not fully understood yet. In this contribution, a family of catalysts with ultra-small Pt nanoparticles were prepared using impregnation method by adjusting the zeolite content in the SAPO-34 and γ-Al2O3 mixed support. The effect of Pt nanoparticle size on the catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability was investigated in the propane dehydrogenation reaction. Catalyst with smaller Pt particles exhibits better catalytic performance. Both the highest Pt dispersion and the best catalytic activity can be achieved by using SAPO-34 and γ-Al2O3 mixed support with 70 wt.% of SAPO-34. The size and structure of the Pt nanoparticles on the optimal catalyst were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Pt nanoparticles with an average size of 1.32 nm were observed. There were stronger metal-support interactions between the oxidized tin species and Pt particles on SAPO-34 support compared to that on γ-Al2O3 catalyst. These lead to high Pt dispersion and consequently good catalytic performance.