Abstract
The present work aims at designing of a novel hexagonal porous structure of alumina to improve the efficiency of dehydrogenation
catalysts. Alumina was prepared by solvent thermal method under supercritical conditions in presence of ethanol. X-ray diffraction
was used to identify alumina after calcinations at 600 ° C. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed that the alumina particles are
in the nano-scale and showed strong aggregates of the nanoparticles. The hexagonal porous structure of alumina was confirmed by field
emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) after coating with a thin film of platinum. Agreeing with the FESEM images, the results
of the nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm indicated that the mesoporous structures of the alumina and the nano catalyst were
built from aggregates of plate-like particles or slit shape of particles.
Development of the dehydrogenation catalyst was achieved by supporting 0.6 wt.% platinum metal over the prepared alumina. The results
of catalytic activity revealed that the nanocatalyst based on the hexagonal porosity was efficient and selective toward dehydrogenation
reaction. Where, the catalytic activity and selectivity toward cyclohexane dehydrogenation reaction were 100% at moderate temperature
350 °C. Our results concluded that the nanocatalyst based on hexagonal porosity of alumina is convenient for dehydrogenation reaction.