Innovative nanocatalysts for sustainable non-oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

Identifier:  TDX:4101

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX4101

Authors:  Gil Jiménez, Laia

Abstract:
Currently, the production of polymer building blocks, i.e., propene, is carried out by cracking process of fossil naphtha, producing large CO2 emissions due to its high-energy demanding nature (i.e., reaction temperatures 800-1200 C). Recently, the dehydrogenation of light alkanes emerged as a more efficient and sustainable alternative to produce such building blocks. To date, the non-oxidative propane dehydrogenation (PDH) is applied at industrial scale with limited success due to the inefficient catalyst stability and thermodynamic limitations. The present PhD thesis aims at reaching sustainability in PDH using innovative nanocatalysts to attain competitive performance at lower temperatures. In this context, efficient PDH catalysts based on transition metal nanoparticles (NPs) supported onto alumina-based materials were prepared thoroughly characterized prior to their testing in this process. Three different methodologies were used to synthesize the nanocatalysts: (1) one-pot organometallic approach, (2) surface organometallic chemistry (SOMC) and the combination of both (3) SOMC-OPOA.