Screening of catalysts in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with carbon dioxide Original Research Article

The influence of the type and concentration of transition and alkali metal oxides, type of the catalyst support as well as pretreatment method on catalytic activity and stability of catalysts in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene in the presence of carbon dioxide was determined. Active carbon-supported iron oxide promoted by alkali metal oxide was found to show the highest performance in the reaction. An increase in the catalyst mass was observed during time-on-stream. Additionally the specific surface area of the catalyst decreased. Temperature programmed oxidation showed the presence of carbon deposits which could only be gasified above 700°C.