Catalytic dehydrogenation of propane over unconventional Pb/SiO2 catalysts

Similar to Sn-based catalysts, Pb, located at the same main group (Ⅳ A), also exhibits a high catalytic activity for propane dehydrogenation when supported on silica. This study proves that both the highly dispersed Pb2+ species and metallic Pb species play the key role in propane dehydrogenation. Furthermore, the reasons for its rapid deactivation have been analyzed, which are possibly due to both the reduction of PbO species and the sintering of Pb and PbO species during the reaction. The dehydrogenation activity can be recovered to some extent through the regeneration of the spent catalyst in oxidative atmosphere, while the loss of Pb species and incomplete redispersion of the agglomerated Pb species results in irreversible deactivation.