ETHANE OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION OVER BORON OXIDES SUPPORTED ON YTTRIA-STABILIZED ZIRCONIA

The role of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as a carrier in the catalytic oxidation of ethane and methane over B2O3/YSZ has been investigated. The electrochemical pumping of oxygen through YSZ to the B2O3/YSZ catalyst enhanced the conversion of ethane but had no effect on that of methane. The addition of boron oxide to YSZ greater than 10 wt.-% accelerated only the conversion of ethane very specifically. The XPS studies suggested the formation of peroxide ions as a result of the strong interaction between boron oxide and the carrier. Very similar results have been obtained for B2O3/Al2O3 catalysts. The role of YSZ has been suggested to increase the concentration of the surface peroxide ions that is responsible for the activation of ethane.