Abstract

Dehydrogenation of propane (PDH) technology is one of the most promising on-purpose technologies to solve supply-demand unbalance of propylene. The industrial catalysts for PDH, such as Pt- and Cr-based catalysts, still have their own limitation in expensive price and security issues. Thus, a deep understanding into the structure-performance relationship of the catalysts during PDH reaction is necessary to achieve innovation in advanced high-efficient catalysts. In this review, we focused on discussion of structure-performance relationship of catalysts in PDH. Based on analysis of reaction mechanism and nature of active sites, we detailed interaction mechanism between structure of active sites and catalytic performance in metal catalysts and oxide catalysts. The relationship between coke deposition, co-feeding gas, catalytic activity and nanostructure of the catalysts are also highlighted. With these discussions on the relationship between structure and performances, we try to provide the insights into microstructure of active sites in PDH and the rational guidance for future design and development of PDH catalysts.