Zinc‐Containing BEA Zeolites for the Propane Dehydrogenation Reaction: Influence of Adding Yttrium on the Catalytic Properties

Research results about the structure, acid‐base, redox, and adsorption characteristics of zinc(yttrium)‐containing dealuminated BEA zeolites (Si/Al=1000), Zn(Y)SiBEA and their catalytic properties in the propane dehydrogenation with CO₂ (CO₂‐PDH) are presented. The catalysts were prepared through a two‐step procedure involving complete dealumination of the BEA zeolite followed by the introduction of Zn²⁺ and Y³⁺ cations into vacant T‐atom sites, by impregnation. The samples obtained were characterized using XRD, XPS, ²⁹Si DP MAS NMR, low‐temperature N₂ ad/desorption, TPR‐H₂, C₃H₈/C₃H₆ (CO₂, NH₃)‐TPD, and FTIR‐Py techniques. The influence of zinc content and yttrium on the functional properties of Zn(Y)SiBEA surface and activity/selectivity of the catalysts (Zn_1.0‐, Zn_2.0‐, and Zn_2.0Y_2.0SiBEA) in the CO₂‐PDH process are analyzed. The balanced acid‐base characteristics of the Zn(Y)SiBEA catalysts determine their activity/selectivity in the CO₂‐mediated propane dehydrogenation to propene. Propane conversion and propene selectivity/yield over Zn(Y)SiBEA catalysts are higher in the CO₂‐PDH process compared to direct propane dehydrogenation (without CO₂).