Design of non-noble metal catalysts for non-oxidative alkane dehydrogenation: a review

Abstract Light olefins are one of the most important raw materials for the production of chemicals and energy substances. The dehydrogenation of light alkanes is an important industrial pathway for the production of light olefins, particularly in the context of the shale gas revolution and the growing global demand for olefin downstream commodity chemicals. Traditional Pt-based and Cr-based catalysts are not suitable for the present demands in the context of green development due to their high cost and non-removable poisonous properties. Non-noble metal catalysts have received increasing attention due to their wide distribution and low cost. In this review, we comprehensively summarize recent advances in the design of non-noble metal advanced catalysts for alkane dehydrogenation as well as new insights into structure-performance relationships and future challenges in moving to actual industrial application.