Abstract: MCM-41 mesoporous molecular sieves containing different contents of cobalt was synthesized by direct insertion of cobalt ions as the precursor prepared at room temperature in an initial stage of the synthesis. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, IR and TG-DTA techniques. The catalytic properties of this series of catalysts for the title reaction were tested with a continuous-flow fixed-bed quartz reactor. The experimental results indicate that a 39.54% conversion of ethane and a 98.59% selectivity of ethylene were achieved over 3%Co-MCM-41 catalyst in the CO₂-dehydrogenation of ethane. The content of cobalt and reaction temperature are important influence factors for the reaction. The 3%Co-MCM-41 showed a high activity for dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene, and CO₂ could eliminate the deposited carbon on the catalysts, which favored the title reaction.

Key words: Co-MCM-41 molecular sieves, Ethane, CO₂, Ethylene, CO₂-dehydrogenation of ethane