Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) to ethylene by bulk MoVNbTe mixed oxide M1 phase catalysts
Dang D. Nguyen, Bar Mosevitzky Lis, Israel E. Wachs
Abstract
The conversion of ethane to ethylene by steam cracking is an energy-intensive process that also produces significant global warming CO 2 emissions. An alternative process that is not as energy-intensive and produces significantly less CO 2 emissions is the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene by the bulk MoVNbTe mixed oxide catalyst. This paper reviews the current understanding of this catalytic reaction system to determine the nature of the bulk and surface phases of this important catalytic reaction. Although the crystalline M1 phase represents the bulk active phase, much is still unknown about the catalytic active surface sites of the M1 phase under reaction conditions. This review extensively examines the reported studies to date and outlines the experiments still needed to establish a fundamental structure-activity/selectivity relationship for this catalytic system that will guide the development of improved catalysts. • An amorphous layer is present on the surface of the crystalline bulk M1 phase. • The surface of the crystalline M1 phase varies with the reaction environment. • Surface characterization techniques are required to study the amorphous surface layer. • The lattice oxygen atoms participate via the Mars-van Krevelen reaction mechanism. • The fundamental structure/activity/selectivity model requires DFT and surface tools.