Replacing platinum with tungsten carbide for decalin dehydrogenation

Pt was replaced with tungsten carbide (WC) in the Ni-Pt structure for decalin dehydrogenation on base of their similar properties. The catalytic performance of Ni-WC catalyst was predicted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and further confirmed by dehydrogenation reaction. Replacing Pt with WC significantly reduces the side reactions such as ring-opening and coking. The highest conversion of decalin is about 93 % and the selectivity to naphthalene is nearly 100 % over Ni-WC/AC catalyst. The improved catalytic activity of Ni-WC/AC demonstrates the feasibility to replace Pt with WC as an active and less expensive dehydrogenation catalyst. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].