Fine-tuning Pt nanoparticle and coordination for enhanced catalytic efficiency in microwave-assisted methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation over Pt/Al2O3 catalysts

[Display omitted] •The Pt/Al2O3-H-400–15 with optimized Pt sizes excels in MCH dehydrogenation.•Microwave-assisted reduced C–C cracking by eliminating dead zone of temperature.•Microwave-assisted catalysis yields fewer CH4 compared to thermal catalysis. The advancement of microwave-assisted catalysis technology will play a crucial role in the realms of energy conversion and catalysis. In this study, we developed a series of Pt/Al2O3-H catalysts by varying the reduction temperature and duration to control the Pt particle size, aiming to optimize the catalytic performance for microwave-assisted methylcyclohexane (MCH) dehydrogenation. Among the synthesized catalysts, Pt/Al2O3-H-400–15 emerged as the most effective, characterized by Pt particles of 1.5 nm and a Pt-Pt coordination number of 2.8. This particular catalyst demonstrated a high metal-support interaction, which significantly enhanced its activity and stability during the dehydrogenation process. Notably, it showed superior performance in MCH dehydrogenation under microwave irradiation, maintaining high stability and minimal methane formation over 626 h. The enhanced catalytic behavior under microwave irradiation is attributed to the elimination of low-temperature dead zones, which are commonly observed in traditional thermal catalysis, resulting in higher efficiency, greater activity, and reduced by-product and coke formation. This study underscores the potential of microwave-assisted catalysis as a more effective alternative to conventional thermal methods for the dehydrogenation of MCH.