Elucidating the underlying surface chemistry of Sn/Al2O3 catalysts during the propane dehydrogenation in the presence of H2S co-feed

Incipient wetness impregnation was used to deposit dispersed tin (Sn) atoms on γ-Al2O3. The morphology and structure of the catalysts were characterized using Raman, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), low energy ion scattering (LEIS) combined with N2-physisorption in situ infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRIFTS) NH3 CO2 as probe molecules, H2- temperature-programmed reduction (H­2-TPR), steady-state reaction kinetics measurements. effects H2S surface chemical composition resulting systematically studied. results showed isolated well-dispersed Sn oxide sites deposited catalyst nanoparticles observed only at relatively high coverages 10% a coverage ranging from 0.48 2.8 nm−2. DRIFT evidenced decrease number Lewis acid treated Sn/Al2O3 suggesting species re-dispersing blocking active Overall, analysis presented here suggest that catalytic presence involve Al2O3 rather than bulk sulfide over alumina towards propane dehydrogenation.