Improved catalytic stability of Pt/TiO2 catalysts for methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation via selenium addition.

To improve the catalytic activity of Pt catalysts for methylcyclohexane (MCH) dehydrogenation, which is utilized for hydrogen transportation, the effects of the addition of Se on the performance of Pt/TiO 2 catalysts were investigated. In Se/Pt/TiO 2 catalysts, even a small amount of Se addition (Se/Pt = 0.01) improved the catalyst stability. Se was highly dispersed on the Pt/TiO 2 surface, without volatilizing in a reducing atmosphere at temperatures below 450 °C, and did not form an alloy with Pt. The analysis of adsorption-desorption characteristics revealed that the addition of Se promoted the desorption of products, including the main product, toluene. Moreover, an electron donation effect from Se to Pt was observed by FT-IR measurement after the reduction. The desorption characteristic caused by the electron donation effect suppressed the deterioration of the catalyst and allowed stable catalytic activity toward the MCH dehydrogenation reaction. • Se modification onto Pt/TiO 2 catalyst improved the stability for MCH dehydrogenation. • The stability was significantly improved even with only Se/Pt = 0.01 content. • Se was highly dispersed on the Pt/TiO 2 surface without alloying with Pt. • The Se addition promoted the desorption of the product, leading to high stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]