Enhanced ethylene productivity by the promotion of lattice oxygen in NiNbO/CexZr1 − xO2 composite for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane

Abstract Ni Nb O/Ce x Zr 1 − x O 2 catalysts are developed for the enhancement in the ethylene productivity via oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) reaction. Compared with the conventional manner of using Ni Nb O alone, the introduction of Ce x Zr 1 − x O 2 to the Ni Nb O active catalyst contributes on suppressing the formation of byproducts (CO, CO 2 , and CH 4 ) at relatively high reaction temperature (450 °C). The increased reaction temperature also leads to an enhancement of ethane conversion (~ 55%) and subsequent increase in the production of ethylene (6.3 μmol g active cat − 1  s − 1 ), compared to that of conventional Ni Nb O catalyst (1.5 μmol g active cat − 1  s − 1 ). The promotion effect of Ce x Zr 1 − x O 2 additive is also discussed.