Cr[2]O[3]/Al-Al[2]O[3] composite catalysts for hydrocarbons dehydrogenation prepared from aluminum nanopowder

Abstract

Aluminum nanopowder (10-150 nm) was treated hydrothermally in mild conditions (60-95 °C, at atmospheric pressure), and an aluminum-alumina composite with high porosity and specific surface area was obtained. Cr[2]O[3]/Al-Al[2]O[3] catalysts were prepared using the aluminum-alumina composite by impregnation techniques and tested in dehydrogenation of C[4]-hydrocarbons. It was shown that aluminum-alumina composites had high chemical and phase purity, specific surface area of 150-350 m{2}/g and the average pore size of 8-13 nm, that is favorable for application as support for catalysts. Cr[2]O[3]/Al-Al[2]O[3] catalysts had high activity and selectivity in dehydrogenation of n- and i-butane (conversion of 44-80 mol.% and selectivity >85% at temperatures of 540-610 °C), that is comparable ones for commercial catalysts for CATOFIN, STAR processes.