Calcium‐Modified PtSn/Al2O3 Catalyst for Propane Dehydrogenation with High Activity and Stability

Abstract Catalytic dehydrogenation of propane to propylene and by‐product hydrogen is an atom‐economical and environmentally friendly route. PtSn/Al 2 O 3 catalysts have been industrialized in this process, but still suffer from platinum sintering and coke deposition under reaction conditions. Herein, we design a calcium‐modified PtSn/Al 2 O 3 catalyst showing a superior propane dehydrogenation performance. The presence of calcium combined with unsaturated aluminum and tin could consist of a new local microenvironment that promotes the dispersion of the platinum species and increases the electron density of the platinum species, which improves the catalytic activity, facilitates propylene desorption and inhibits coke formation. As a result, the achieved PtSnCa/Al 2 O 3 catalyst exhibits a higher propylene formation rate and a lower coke‐accumulation rate compared to the catalyst without Ca addition. Moreover, the size of active phase clusters (∼1 nm) remained almost unchanged after the catalytic test, indicating a superior sintering resistance.