Preparation, Structure-Performance Relationship, and Reaction Network of ZnZSM-5 for Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane with CO₂

Ethylene (C₂ H₄ ) is a major chemical for the modern society, and new technologies for its production are of strategic importance globally. Recently, oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (C₂ H₆ ) using CO₂ as a milder oxidant (CO₂ -ODH) is proposed as a potential way for C₂ H₄ production, and development of effective catalysts for the process is drawing wide attention. Here, we report on a facilely prepared ZSM-5 supported Zn system, i. e., ZnZSM-5, which showed great promise in CO₂ -ODH. Samples with different Zn loadings were prepared and evaluated, and the highest performance was obtained over 0.05ZnZSM-5 at 700 °C and a CO₂ :C₂ H₆ feeding ratio of 5 : 1. During 340 min TOS, the C₂ H₆ conversion decreased moderately from 36.2 % to 23.1 %, and the C₂ H₄ yield stabilized at 21.9 % to 27.9 %. Based on systematic characterization and investigation of reaction conditions, the structure-performance relationship and reaction network were discussed in detail.