Subnanometre PtSn alloyed clusters encapsulated in silicalite-1 sustain high productivity in propane dehydrogenation (opens in new tab)

Propane dehydrogenation (PDH) processes typically operate at low weight-hourly space velocities of about 10 h−1 to ensure catalyst stability, limiting propylene productivity to around 0.1 molC3H6 gcatalyst−1 h−1. Here we report that controlling the formation of subnanometre PtSn alloyed clusters encapsulated in silicalite-1 affords a catalyst that can sustain high propylene productivities. At 165 h−1, the catalyst achieved about 1 molC3H6 gcatalyst−1 h−1 for more than 300 hours, with >99% pro...