Effect of Ce Content on the Chemical Looping Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane to Propylene over a VOx-CeO2/γ-Al2O3 Oxygen Carrier

The chemical looping oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene (CL-ODHP) replaces molecular oxygen with lattice oxygen (Olatt) in oxygen carriers. This method boosts propylene selectivity by avoiding the deep oxidation of propane. Herein, a series of 10V-XCe/Al oxygen carriers with different Ce contents were prepared to realize different VOx-CeOy interactions. The effect of the Ce content in 10V-XCe/Al oxygen carriers on the CL-ODHP reaction was studied and the optimal Ce content was determined. CeO2 prevents the outward diffusion and evolution of Olatt in VOx carriers to the adsorbed electrophilic oxygen species (Oelec), effectively inhibiting the loss of Olatt, improving the selectivity of propylene, and extending the lifetime and activity of the oxygen carriers. After characterizing and analyzing the oxygen carriers, it was found that 10V-3Ce/Al has the highest specific surface area, highest oxygen capacity, and lowest reducibility. The 10V-3Ce/Al also delivers the highest oxidative dehydrogenation performance. At 550 °C, the average propylene and COx selectivity values of 10V-3Ce/Al were 81.87% and 7.28%, respectively (vs. 62.79% and 25.64% respectively, for 10V/Al). It is demonstrated that 10V-3Ce/Al exhibits good cycle stability with no significant decrease in catalytic performance after 15 cycles. In situ diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy indicates that CL-ODHP on 10V-3Ce/Al undergoes the Mars-van Krevelen mechanism. The migration and evolution of Olatt in oxygen carriers is controlled by reasonably modifying the metal oxide interactions to improve propylene yield. This work will thus guide the subsequent development of novel and efficient CL-ODHP oxygen carriers.