A state-of-the-art review of propane dehydrogenation over well-defined non-noble metal cobalt catalysts

Propane dehydrogenation (PDH) serves as a promising route to produce propylene, and efforts have been made to design the attractive catalysts with comparable performance with the existing Pt- and CrO_x-based catalysts. The non-noble metal Co-based catalysts with well-defined structure is the one of the potential candidates due to satisfied activity of Co active sites in the selective activation of alkane C–H bonds. In this review, the state-of-the-art Co-based light alkane dehydrogenation catalysts are summarized with respect to their synthesis strategies, structure–performance relationships and catalytic mechanisms. The strategies for tailoring structure and property of the Co active sites at Co–support interfaces in various catalysts are described in terms of the effects of supports, promoters and pre-treatments. The key PDH reaction steps are also clarified including the propane pre-activation and C–H cleavage, propylene desorption and hydrogen recombination. Furthermore, the perspectives are discussed for the current state and future opportunities of the catalytic PDH reactions over the Co catalysts. This review is expected to provide insights into the design of the catalyst structure and understanding of the catalytic mechanism for promoting the metal-catalyzed light alkanes dehydrogenation.