Entropy-Driven Design Principle of High-Performance Pt-Based Propane Dehydrogenation Catalysts

Propane dehydrogenation to propylene is a key process for increasing propylene yield. However, conventional platinum (Pt)-based catalysts suffer from rapid deactivation caused by high-temperature sintering and coke deposition. This review focuses on the design principles, unique properties, and application potential of high-entropy materials (HEMs), including high-entropy alloys and high-entropy oxides, as a new generation of catalysts for propane dehydrogenation. It systematically elaborates on how HEMs utilize their four core effects to stabilize Pt active sites, thereby simultaneously addressing the critical challenges of sintering and coke-induced deactivation faced by traditional Pt-based catalysts at high temperatures. Special emphasis is placed on the in-depth analysis of the "self-regenerative" capability enabled by the reversible phase transformation between high-entropy oxides and alloys. This mechanism provides a fundamental solution to avoid sintering during oxidative regeneration cycles. Furthermore, the review outlines the challenges in compositional design, active site regulation, nanoscale synthesis, and mechanistic understanding of HEMs. This work aims to clarify the paradigm shift brought by the high-entropy strategy to the design of propane dehydrogenation catalysts, providing theoretical guidance and innovative insights for developing efficient, stable, and regenerable next-generation industrial catalysts.