La2O3 promotional effect to Co3O4/γ-Al2O3 catalyst in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with CO2 as soft oxidant

Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts with variable Co₃O₄ loadings (5–20 wt%) and deposition of 15% Co₃O₄ on La₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ were prepared by wet impregnation method. La₂O₃-γ-Al₂O₃ support with variable composition of La₂O₃ (2–6 wt%) were prepared by co-precipitation method. All the catalysts were tested for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with CO₂ as soft oxidant. Among the Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts, 15% Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ has shown good performance and hence this catalyst has been chosen to investigate the effect of La₂O₃ species. CO₂ pulse chemisorption data indicate more amount of CO₂ uptake over 15% Co₃O₄/4%La₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst which clearly indicates that this catalyst exhibits good performance in ethylbenzene dehydrogenation with CO₂ as soft oxidant because of reverse water gas shift reaction. Temperature programmed reduction studies indicate that the Co₃O₄ catalysts follow two step reduction mechanism from Co₃O₄ to CoO and then to Co and La₂O₃ promotional effect is visible through facile reduction of Co₃O₄ species. La₂O₃ doping has a vital influence in getting enhanced ethylbenzene conversion, styrene yield and alleviates catalyst deactivation compared to that of unpromoted Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst. TGA studies indicate the presence low amount coke deposition during time-on-stream over 15% Co₃O₄/4%La₂O₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst compared to 15% Co₃O₄/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst.