Enhancing catalytic activity of zeolitic octahedral metal oxides through zinc incorporation for ethane oxidative dehydrogenation

Zeolitic octahedral metal oxides possess both redox properties and microporosity, making them highly active for catalysis. Tuning the property of micropore by incorporating transition metal ion in the pore improves the catalytic activity greatly. In this study, single Zn species was incorporated into a micropore of a zeolitic octahedral metal oxide based on vanadomolybdate. Structural characterization demonstrated that the crystalline structure remained unchanged, and the micropores remained unblocked in the presence of Zn. Furthermore, this incorporation of Zn improved the catalytic activity of ethane oxidative dehydrogenation, achieving a 50 % of ethane conversion and 90% of selectivity. The yield of ethylene remained consistently at 45 % over 35 h, demonstrating the high stability of the catalyst. Mechanism study revealed that the isolated Zn site not only activated both O2 and ethane, but also stabilized intermediates and transition states, leading to an increase in catalyst activity. [Display omitted] ●Zn incorporated vanadomolybdate is synthesized by hydrothermal method.●Zn occupies the heptagonal channel without blocking the micropore of the material.●45 % of C2H4 yield was obtained at 300 oC, which was the most active C2H6 oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts.●Incorporated Zn not only activates both O2 and C2H6，but also coordinates and stabilizes the intermediate.