Propylene is one of the most produced chemical products in the world and serves as a crucial raw material in the fields of plastics, rubber, and pharmaceuticals, holding significant importance in the global petrochemical industry chain. Traditionally, the production processes either use expensive metals or metal oxides with limited catalytic performance. Recently, we successfully developed an unconventional Ni@TiOx catalyst composed of two environmentally friendly and cost-effective components for efficient propane dehydrogenation (PDH). The related findings were published as a cover article in the journal Science. (https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adp7379)
“The global reserves of titanium and nickel are abundant, and China is a major producer of titanium.”, said Chen, the co-first author on the paper, “Experimental results show that this novel catalyst outperforms its international counterparts, reducing costs by 30% to 50%, while achieving non-toxic and low-energy consumption during both catalyst preparation and usage processes.”
Titanium nanosheets, which are normally relatively poor catalysts for propane dehydrogenation, become highly active when they completely encapsulate metallic nickel. Chen et al. loaded nickel ions onto titanium oxide nanosheets supported on alumina and then reduced them in a hydrogen atmosphere at 600°C. This process completely encapsulated the metallic nickel, and this catalyst displayed 94% propylene selectivity at 40% propane conversion. Tetra-coordinated titanium sites surrounding oxygen vacancies appeared to be the catalytically active site, and subsurface metallic nickel acted as a promoter for carbon-hydrogen bond activation and promoted hydrogen desorption. —Phil Szuromi
Following the publication of these findings, mainstream media outlets extensively covered the achievement. CCTV News produced a 2-minute and 7-second special report on the scientific achievements. Xinhua News reported the news with the headline "Chinese scientists develop low-cost, eco-friendly propylene catalyst," while the National Natural Science Foundation of China published an article titled "Chinese Researchers Make Progress in Propylene Production Catalyst Research," China Daily reported it as "Tianjin University touts chemical breakthrough," Science and Technology Daily headlined "Breakthrough Research Achievements Featured on the Cover of Science," Guangming Daily announced "New Propylene Catalyst Emerges," and People's Daily reported "Laying the Scientific Foundation for Next-Generation Olefin Core Technology! Chinese Scientists Successfully Develop Low-Cost Eco-Friendly Propylene Production Catalyst." Additionally, China Science Daily, China Education Daily, China Chemical Industry News, and other media outlets covered the research from various perspectives.
“The next steps for the team will involve further research into propane dehydrogenation technology, aiming to help China independently master the key core technologies for next-generation propylene catalysts and to promote the chemical industry towards more environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable development.” said Prof. Gong.
央视新闻：我国科学家成功研发绿色丙烯生产催化剂
新华社：我国科学家成功研发廉价绿色丙烯生产催化剂
Xinhua News：Chinese scientists develop low-cost, eco-friendly propylene catalyst
国家自然科学基金委员会：我国学者在丙烯生产催化剂研究方面取得进展
China Daily: Tianjin University touts chemical breakthrough
科技日报：登上《科学》封面！我国取得突破性研究成果
光明日报：新型丙烯催化剂问世
人民日报：为下一代烯烃核心技术奠定科学基础！我国科学家成功研发廉价环保丙烯生产催化剂
中国科学报：我国科学家成功研发廉价绿色丙烯生产催化剂
中国教育报：天津大学团队研发廉价环保丙烯生产催化剂
中国化工报：我国科学家突破性成果！登上《科学》封面