The nickel-support interaction as determining factor of the selectivity to ethylene in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over nickel oxide/alumina catalysts

Nickel oxides supported on ?-alumina (Ni-loading from 5 to 30 wt% NiO) have been synthesized and tested in the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane order determine importance NiO-support interaction. The best performance was achieved by catalyst with 15 NiO; higher NiO-loadings lead formation unselective bulk-like NiO lower Ni-loadings present high proportion free alumina surface sites. presence oxalic acid and/or niobium synthesis gel resulted particles similar size, but crystallinity reducibility than standard catalyst. obtained results revealed that, addition crystal nickel oxide-support interaction determines catalytic these catalysts.