Alumina-Supported Nickel onto Cordierite Monoliths for Ethane Oxidehydrogenation: Coating Strategies and Their Effect on the Catalytic Behavior

Different strategies for the generation of Ni (15 wt %)/Al2O3 catalytic coatings onto cordierite monoliths applied to the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) were investigated. Strategy 1 involved the deposition of an alumina layer (nanoparticles or micro + nanoparticles) and the later incorporation of the active phase. Strategy 2 employed a suspension containing a powder catalyst that was used to deposit the catalytic film. Morphological (SEM) and physicochemical (LRS and XPS) characterizations were used to explain the catalytic performance of the structured systems. The NiO particles' distribution on the obtained catalytic coatings was analyzed via SEM-EDX performed in different monolith regions. The ultrasonic test was used to evaluate the anchoring of these catalytic films to the substrates. It was concluded that the selection of both the strategy and the particle size of the support is extremely important to obtain a homogeneously dispersed, accessible, and highly adhered to the substrate catalyst.