Zinc‐Containing BEA Zeolites for the Propane Dehydrogenation Reaction: Influence of Adding Yttrium on the Catalytic Properties

Abstract Research results about the structure, acid‐base, redox, and adsorption characteristics of zinc(yttrium)‐containing dealuminated BEA zeolites (Si/Al=1000), Zn(Y)SiBEA and their catalytic properties in the propane dehydrogenation with CO 2 (CO 2 ‐PDH) are presented. The catalysts were prepared through a two‐step procedure involving complete dealumination of the BEA zeolite followed by the introduction of Zn 2+ and Y 3+ cations into vacant T‐atom sites, by impregnation. The samples obtained were characterized using XRD, XPS, 29 Si DP MAS NMR, low‐temperature N 2 ad/desorption, TPR‐H 2 , C 3 H 8 /C 3 H 6 (CO 2 , NH 3 )‐TPD, and FTIR‐Py techniques. The influence of zinc content and yttrium on the functional properties of Zn(Y)SiBEA surface and activity/selectivity of the catalysts (Zn 1.0 ‐, Zn 2.0 ‐, and Zn 2.0 Y 2.0 SiBEA) in the CO 2 ‐PDH process are analyzed. The balanced acid‐base characteristics of the Zn(Y)SiBEA catalysts determine their activity/selectivity in the CO 2 ‐mediated propane dehydrogenation to propene. Propane conversion and propene selectivity/yield over Zn(Y)SiBEA catalysts are higher in the CO 2 ‐PDH process compared to direct propane dehydrogenation (without CO 2 ).