Ethane dehydrogenation performance and high temperature stability of silica supported cobalt phosphide nanoparticles

A series of Co-P materials with varying P : Co ratio from 0 to 4 supported on SBA-15 were evaluated for ethane dehydrogenation (EDH) performance. In comparison to monometallic Co, the Co-P materials have improved ethylene selectivity from 41% for Co to 88-90% for Co-P, which was attributed to the segregation of Co atoms and the formation of partial positive Co delta+ sites in the Co-P materials due to charge transfer. Among the Co-P materials studied, an optimum in stability was observed in those containing a P : Co ratio in the range 1 to 2. Below this range, limited P is available to adequately separate Co atoms. Above this range, the excess P promotes coke formation through possible acid catalyzed pathways. The stability of two of the Co-P materials containing the Co2P and CoP phase, respectively, were further tested for EDH at 700 degrees C. Under these conditions, the ethylene selectivity was 98%, and both materials remained active with little to no deactivation for over 4 h. In comparison to a Pt-Sn reference, both Co-P materials showed vastly improved stability. Additionally, both Co-P materials showed no signs of sintering after EDH at 700 degrees C and maintained their respective Co2P and CoP phases. These results demonstrate the catalytic improvement with P incorporation and highlights the high stability of Co-P, and possibly other metal phosphides, as high temperature EDH catalysts.