Chromium Oxide Supported on Silicalite-1 Zeolite as a Novel Efficient Catalyst for Dehydrogenation of Isobutane Assisted by CO2

The chromium oxide catalysts supported on silicalite-1 zeolite (Cr/S-1) with a Cr content between 0.5% and 7% were synthesized via an incipient wetness method. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, N-2 adsorption, TEM-EDX, UV-vis, DRIFTS, Si-29 MAS NMR, XPS, H-2-TPR, and NH3-TPD. The optimum 3%Cr/S-1 catalyst with 3%Cr is more active and stable than SBA-15-supported one with the same Cr content, which is a consequence of a higher content of Cr6+ in the fresh 3%Cr/S-1 catalyst and a higher content of Cr6+ retained on the former catalyst during the reaction. The 3%Cr/S-1 catalyst affords an isobutane conversion of 36.5% with 71.2% isobutene selectivity. The catalytic activity is well correlated with the content of Cr6+ in the fresh catalysts. Carbon dioxide displays a promoting effect on the dehydrogenation reaction.