Sustainable light olefins production via oxidative cracking of n-pentane over bifunctional VOₓ/Al₂O₃-SrO catalyst

A novel SrO-modified VOₓ/Al₂O₃-SrO was synthesized and evaluated for the oxygen-free oxidative cracking of n-pentane to produce valuable light olefins. Catalyst supports were prepared via surfactant-free co-precipitation, followed by vanadium impregnation using incipient wetness. Comprehensive characterizations (XRD, Raman, SEM-EDX, BET, TPR, NH₃-TPD) revealed that SrO significantly enhanced metal–support interactions, improved vanadia dispersion, modified catalyst acidity, and promoted optimal redox behavior of the catalysts. Catalytic testing carried out in the fluidized CREC Riser Simulator indicated better performance, achieving 75.9% n-pentane conversion and optimal olefin selectivity (51.7%) at 525°C. The current study highlights the importance of temperature in the distribution of the product, where higher temperatures induce excessive cracking, resulting in the production of methane and CO₂. This study also presents a promising concept for catalyst design in the effective production of olefins in the absence of gas-phase, emphasizing the pivotal role of controlled acidity and optimized redox properties in maximizing catalytic performance.