Abstract
The aim of this study is to identify the induced phases formed after promotions of the PtSn/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts by Alkali Earth Elements (AEE), i.e. Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba. The induced phases are responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity and selectivity of the PtSn/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts in the process of propane dehydrogenation. The catalysts were prepared by co-impregnation of alumina with Pt and AEE. Among studied catalysts, only PtSnCa/gamma-Al2O3 with optimum Ca loading of 1 wt% had shown essential improvement in the catalytic properties PtSn/gamma-Al2O3 system. This effect is a result of the formation of binary alloys PtSn, Pt2Al and CaPt2 that had also largely decreased the catalyst coking activity and increased the catalyst's thermal stability.