Solid state synthesis of oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts

Abstract

Synthesize a nickel oxide-based oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst via a solvent-free process that comprises sequential steps a. mixing without added solvent a combination of a solid nickel precursor, a solid oxalate or oxalic acid and, optionally, a doping amount of a metal precursor for a period of time sufficient to convert the combination to a visually homogenous mixture; and b. calcining the visually homogeneous mixture at a temperature within a range of from greater than 250° C. to less than 800° C. for a time within a range of from 30 minutes to 360 minutes in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, preferably air, to form a calcined oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst. As a modification of the process, add an intermediate step between steps a. and b. to dry the homo geneous mixture at a temperature within a range of from 50° C. to 90° C. for a period of time within a range of from 10 minutes to 600 minutes to form a dried mixture. The resulting catalyst may be used in oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.