Recently the CAS Institute of Metal Research (IMR) has made progress in the research on the alkane dehydrogenation catalyst. Upon using “MXene” material as the alkane dehydrogenation catalyst, IMR has delved into the active centers for alkane dehydrogenation and the reaction pathway to provide new idea for the development of commercial alkane dehydrogenation catalysts.

Upon using the “MXene” material in the manufacture of styrene through ethane dehydrogenation reaction, the research personnel have disclosed that the ethane dehydrogenation activity of the “MXene” material on a unit specific surface area has reached 92 μmol/(m2·h) with the styrene selectivity equating to 97.5%, which exceeds that of the existing high-activity nonmetallic dehydrogenation catalysts, let alone mentioning its high-temperature stability. By using various means of characterization and calculation according to the first principle, the research team has discovered that this reaction utilizes the C-Ti-O functional groups formed during the reaction etching process as the dehydrogenating active sites that can successively deprive the ethyl group in the ethane molecule of two hydrogen atoms to yield styrene. In the meantime, the layered structure of “MXene” material is conducive to the heat and mass transfer in the course of reaction, resulting in higher specific activity and stability of the said catalytic material.

“MXene” as the 2D crystal of transition metal carbide with a structure similar to that of graphene can be obtained through hydrofluoric acid etching of the MAX phase of layered ceramic material. Since the “MXene” material possesses good mechanic, electronic and magnetic properties, it can be used in the area of electrochemical energy storage, reinforced composite materials, lubrication, and electromagnetic shielding.