Selective oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over SnO2-promoted NiO catalysts

Sn-doped NiO catalysts are highly efficient for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. Addition of a tiny amount of tin highly increases selectivity to ethylene. [Display omitted] ► NiSnO mixed oxides catalysts for ethane ODH were prepared and investigated. ► Addition of a tiny amount of tin highly increases selectivity to ethylene. ► Changes in the nature of Ni species on the surface of catalysts are observed. ► Changes in the crystal size of NiO particles with Sn-loading are observed. NiSnO mixed oxides catalysts have been investigated for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane. The catalysts were prepared through the evaporation of aqueous solutions of nickel nitrate and tin oxalate and finally calcined in air at 500°C for 2h. These materials have been characterized by several techniques (N2-adsorption, X-ray diffraction, High-Resolution Electron Microscopy, temperature programmed reduction, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy of adsorbed CO and 18O/16O isotope exchange). The addition of just a tiny amount of tin highly increases the selectivity to ethylene (from ca. 40% to 80–90%). Thus, high selectivity to ethylene (near to 90%) is observed on samples with high Ni/Sn atomic ratios (3