Regulating Ni–O–V bond in nickel doped vanadium catalysts for propane dehydrogenation

Supported vanadium catalysts are commonly investigated in industrial propane dehydrogenation (PDH) but still remain a great challenge to achieve high propylene selectivity and productivity. Here, Ni species were adopted to regulate the micro-structure of V 2 O 5 supported by γ-Al 2 O 3 via incipient wetness impregnation method. The Ni-doped vanadium catalyst exhibits an optimal propylene yield of 31.88% with a superior propylene selectivity of 85.91% compared to undoped catalyst with a propylene yield of 20.49% (propylene selectivity of 80.77%). Experimental characterizations (such as XPS, XAFS and Raman studies) and DFT calculations were combined to support that the Ni–O–V bonds are active sites for PDH and could promote the charge redistribution from Ni to V based in the Ni–O–V bonds, which greatly strengthens the adsorption of C 3 H 8 over V sites. This endows the Ni-doped vanadium catalyst high propane conversion and superior propylene selectivity. • A series of Ni-doped V 2 O 5 catalysts was prepared for propane dehydrogenation. • The Ni-doped V 2 O 5 catalyst exhibits a higher propylene yield than undoped one. • The Ni–O–V bonds are the active sites in Ni-doped catalysts. • The charge redistribution from Ni to V promotes the adsorption of C 3 H 8 .