New propylene catalyst launched

08/13/2024 16:23:34

Acrylic is one of the world's largest chemical products and an important basic chemical raw material in fields such as plastics, rubber, fibers, and pharmaceuticals. The propylene industry has significant strategic importance for the global petrochemical industry chain. In 2023, China's propylene production will exceed 60 million tons, accounting for about one-third of the global total production, with a total output value exceeding 600 billion yuan. However, the scarcity and high cost of raw materials for traditional propylene production catalysts, as well as serious environmental pollution, have led to sustainable development issues for the industry. The next generation of propylene catalysts that are more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly have become the technological high ground that the global chemical industry is competing to seize. In response to the current situation where traditional propane dehydrogenation catalysts often use precious metals or highly toxic elements, the Tianjin University New Energy Chemical Engineering team, led by Professor Gong Jinlong, boldly proposed the scientific hypothesis of using low-cost and environmentally friendly oxides to generate electronic interactions with metals to promote the catalytic process. Based on this idea, the team spent 5 years developing a titanium oxide nickel composite catalyst. China's peptide reserves rank among the top in the world. The team has achieved precise regulation of electron transfer between titanium oxide and nickel by controlling the coverage of titanium oxide on the surface of nickel metal particles. While enhancing catalytic activity, it has also suppressed side reactions such as cracking and carbon deposition. The experimental results show that this new catalyst exhibits excellent selectivity and stability towards propylene, with better performance than similar international products. It can save costs by 30% to 50% and achieve non-toxic and low-energy consumption during catalyst preparation and use. This lays a scientific foundation for the development of the next generation of efficient, inexpensive, environmentally friendly and sustainable propylene catalysts. In recent years, the new energy chemical team at Tianjin University has focused on the "dual carbon" strategy, conducted theoretical and applied basic research in response to the world's technological frontiers and major national needs, and continuously promoted the innovation of low-carbon energy chemical technology.