The catalysts that are commonly used in the transformation of propane to propene, also produce methane and ethylene.
Separation of propene from other products requires additional costs.
In order to overcome this problem, assistant professor of chemistry at the research university Adam Hock, and his teammates discovered a new silica-supported single-site zinc catalyst.
The catalyst is more selective in propane to propene transformation, and thus reduces waste, and production costs.
The researchers have employed various techniques such as the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory for the development of the new catalyst.
A key product in the petrochemical industry, propene is used in the manufacture of plastics, packaging, and other applications.
This generated around $90m in global sales in 2008.
Image: The new cobalt catalyst selectively transforms propane to propene and hydrogen. Photo: courtesy of Illinois Institute of Technology.
