Size effect in propane dehydrogenation on PtIn/Sn-SBA-15

The mesoporous Sn-SBA-15 (SSF) with varied pore size from was synthesized by changing the hydrothermal temperature, and used to disperse the PtSn oxides (PtSn/SSF) through a typical incipient wetness impregnation method. The pore size had the profound effects on porosity, particle size, the redox property, dispersion and surface chemical state etc. by applying N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, XRD, HRTEM, TPR, H2-chemisorption, XPS and in situ CO-DRIFT etc. techniques. The catalytic deactivation was mainly caused by sintering of active phase and coke deposition which was identified and quantified by combining Raman and TG analysis. The optimal pore size in this study was 8 nm, corresponding to the sample PtSn/SSF#8 over which the highest propane conversion of 46.9% and the least coke 16.8 mgC/gcat. were achieved.