New platinum catalysts are playing a valuable role in the multi-billion-dollar oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane to propylene process, it was revealed on Friday (13th March).

Scientists at the US department of energy's Argonne National Laboratory conducted a number of tests designed to make the reaction less expensive and more environmentally friendly.

Two classes of catalysts were previously used for the ODH process - vanadia and platinum - but both have demonstrated either limited activity or poor selectivity, thus preventing complete oxidation.

However, the researchers showed that new size preselected Pt (platinum) 8-10 clusters, stabilised on high-surface-area supports, are between 40 and 100 times more active than their predecessors, while also maintaining high selectivity towards propylene.

As a result, more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly synthesis strategies could be possible, plus the potential replacement of petrochemical feedstocks with abundant small alkanes.

"Using platinum clusters, we have devised a way to catalyse propane not only in a more environmentally-friendly way, but also using far less energy than previous methods," said Argonne scientist Stefan Vajda.

The results of the research - entitled 'Subnanometre Platinum Clusters as Highly Active and Selective Catalysts for the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane' - can be found in the journal Nature Materials.

Source:

Argonne scientists discover new platinum catalysts for the dehydrogenation of propane (13/03/09)
http://www.anl.gov/Media_Center/News/2009/news090313.html