Biomolecule-derived three-dimensional N, P co-doped carbon nanosheets for the efficient oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

Non-metallic heteroatom-doped carbon materials are promising catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP), but their controlled synthesis remains challenging. Herein, a novel three-dimensional N, P co-doped carbon nanosheet (NPC-NS-T) catalyst is prepared, which shows an impressive catalytic performance in the ODHP reaction with high propane conversion (20.0%) and high selectivity for propene (62.1%) and olefins (64.5%) at 500 °C along with good long-time stability. Comprehensive experimental characterizations revealed that incorporation of appropriate P can not only help to form more CO species on the surface of NPC-NS-T but also inhibit the consumption of CO species under ODHP conditions, thereby remarkably improving the catalytic performance. This work could pave the way for developing efficient biomass-derived carbon catalysts for the oxidative dehydrogenation reactions of propane.