Oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over La_1-xSr_xFeO_3-δ perovskite oxides

Catalysts of the composition La_1-xSr_xFeO_3-δ, 0≤x≤1, have been tested for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane in the temperature range 300-800°C. The catalyst is active above 400°C, giving a maximum yield of 37% ethylene at 650°C. Above 650°C, synthesis gas was formed together with methane, suggesting that the reforming reaction and thermal cracking of ethane took place. The catalytic data are compared to conductivity measurements on the same material, and a good correlation between the activity and p-type conductivity has been found. In the phase diagram for the system LaFeO₃-SrFeO_3-δ, a phase separation to two types of (La, Sr)FeO_3-δ perovskites was observed in the La/Sr binary composition in the temperature range below 800°C. The phase separation can elucidate the dependency of the catalytic activity on its p-type conductivity