Ethylene production via catalytic ethanol dehydration by 12-tungstophosphoric acid@ceria-zirconia

•Composites of 12-tungstophosforic acid on ceria zirconia for ethanol dehydration.•High selectivity for ethylene (c.a. 100%) for many catalysts between 200 and 400 °C.•The support had two effects: to disperse the HPW and to facilitate the coke burning.•Lifetime of 26.4% HPW/CZ catalyst exceeded 70 h of activity at 300 °C temperature.•26.4% HPW/CZ at 300 °C (>150 ethanol pulses): 100% conversion/selectivity to ethylene.