Synergy between the proton conducting and a mixed electronic and oxygen ionic conducting phases in a composite anode for electrocatalytic propane ODH

Oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane offers an attractive and feasible method for increasing propylene production to meet the growing demand. In this study, a dual phase catalyst composed of proton conducting SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3 (SCY) and mixed oxygen ionic and electronic conducting (La0.8Sr0.2)0.95MnO3 (LSM) has been investigated for propane ODH. TPD-DRIFTS was used to study H2O adsorption and the presence of basic lattice oxygen on the surface of SCY. The addition of 40 wt% SCY to LSM resulted in significant improvements in propane conversion and olefin selectivity. These enhancements were likely due to the highly basic nature of the SCY surface by helping rapid desorption of propylene resulting in high propylene yields. In addition, proton conductive SCY facilitated the proton abstraction from propane and its transport to the interface between SCY and LSM where an oxidation reaction occurs. It was demonstrated by TPrxn experiments using C3H8 and C3H6 that a moderate oxygen ionic conductivity and a basic surface of the catalyst are needed for the selective conversion of propane to olefins.