Prof. Zhang Jiangwei's group at Inner Mongolia University: Anderson series of polyoxometalates assembly of mesoporous silica spheres as catalysts for propane dehydrogenation by carbon dioxide oxidation
image: (a) Schematic of CrMoOx@MSS sample preparation. (b)–(d) TEM images at different sizes, (e) SEM image, (f)–(k) EDS-measured elemental distribution of C (f), Si (g), N (h), Cr (i), O (j), and Mo (k).
Credit: Nano Research, Tsinghua University Press
Propylene, a fundamental feedstock for producing polypropylene, acrylonitrile, and various high-value chemicals/intermediates, faces growing demand that traditional production methods can no longer meet due to the rapid depletion of fossil energy. In recent years, large-scale shale gas exploitation has driven advancements in propane direct catalytic dehydrogenation (PDH) technology for propylene production. Both PDH and oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODP) have emerged as thriving and promising approaches for direct propylene synthesis.
Conventional PDH methods suffer from thermodynamic equilibrium limitations and severe coke deposition effects, leading to high energy consumption and poor catalyst stability. Meanwhile, renewed interest has been directed toward ODP with oxidants like O₂ or CO₂. The CO₂-mediated oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (CO₂-ODP) optimizes reaction equilibrium and enhances propylene yield through the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction with hydrogen. Furthermore, CO₂ assists in removing coke formed via the reverse Boudouard reaction, thereby improving catalyst stability. Notably, CO₂-ODP exhibits environmental benefits by directly capturing and converting greenhouse gases, making it an increasingly attractive strategy with compelling developmental prospects.
In this study, the research team introduced chromium (Cr) as an active component during the synthesis of mesoporous silica spheres. By utilizing the precursor (NH4)3[CrMo6O24H6]·7H2O, they successfully prepared a CO2-ODP catalyst with uniformly distributed active sites. This novel strategy of constructing propane dehydrogenation catalysts through the assembly of polyoxometalates (POMs) with mesoporous-microporous architectures demonstrates innovative advantages compared to conventional chromium incorporation methods such as physical impregnation. The chromium loading can be significantly reduced through precise regulation, while the POMs—possessing a rich composition of transition metal elements with adjustable types and ratios—enable expanded possibilities for their assembly with mesoporous silica. This approach allows effective integration of elements exhibiting propane dehydrogenation activity and auxiliary functions (e.g., Pt, Cr, V, Ga, Sn, In, Ce) within the silica framework. The study provides novel insights for developing dehydrogenation catalysts targeting low-carbon alkanes, while holding significant scientific implications for the efficient utilization of active components and the resource-oriented valorization of carbon dioxide.
About the Authors
Jiangwei Zhang
Professor, Institute of Energy Materials Chemistry, Professor, Inner Mongolia Institute of Advanced Studies (President, Academician Zhao Dongyuan), Inner Mongolia Advanced Research Institute, World's Top 2% Scientist (Stanford University List), Ph.D., Tsinghua University. Recipient of: Inner Mongolia "Caoyuan Yingcai" (Grassland Talent) Program, "Yingcai Xingmeng" High-Level Talent Initiative, "Junma Plan" Eminent Scholar Award. Academic Leadership, Independent Principal Investigator & Doctoral Supervisor. Committee Member: Professional Committee on Solid Local Structure & Total Scattering Techniques, Chinese Crystallographic Society, Expert Panels: Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Professional Affiliations, Senior Member, Chinese Chemical Society. Editorial Board Member: Research, Interdisciplinary Materials. Youth Editorial Board Member: Nano Research, Nexus, Polyoxometalates.
Research Focus: Interdisciplinary research at the nexus of advanced characterization techniques and energy catalysis materials, focusing on: Methodological development for probing dynamic structural evolution, Instrumentation innovation for in-situ/operando characterization, R&D and industrial deployment of key water electrolysis components (electrodes, membranes, electrolyzers) for hydrogen production. Academic Achievements: 208 publications as corresponding author in high-impact journals (Science, Nature Catalysis, Chem, JACS, Advanced Materials, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Nature Communications, Energy & Environmental Science, Research), H-index: 56, Authored China's first monograph on Crystal Structure Determination and Visualization Using Olex2.
Research Leadership
Principal Investigator of National Natural Science Foundation of China projects. Lead Scientist (7M RMB funding) for the hydrogen energy "Breakthrough Initiative" under China's "Unveiling and Commanding" program, responsible for the sub-project *"Key Technologies and Prototype Development of 1000 Nm³/h Water Electrolysis Systems with Wide Power Fluctuation Tolerance"* (total project budget: 60M RMB). Completed the "Desktop XAFS System Development with In-situ Characterization Platform and Key Scientific Database Establishment", now operational at Inner Mongolia's "Mengkeju" Innovation Platform.
Honors & Awards
Young Scientist Award, Chinese Materials Research Society. "Rising Star Scientist" at New Energy Materials Innovation Forum. Nanoscale Emerging Investigator. Outstanding Youth Editorial Board Member: Research. Outstanding Editorial Board Member: Nano Research, Nano Research Energy.
Research Directions
Integrated Renewable Hydrogen Production. Wind-solar coupled water electrolysis systems. Hydrogen production-storage integrated technologies. Advanced Electrolyzer Development. Next-generation electrodes & membrane materials. Industrial-scale electrolyzer prototyping. AI-Driven Materials Innovation. Materials informatics for accelerated R&D. Machine learning-optimized material discovery. Carbon Utilization Technologies. High-efficiency CO₂ conversion. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) synthesis.
Prof. Jiangwei Zhang's research team at the Institute of Energy Materials Chemistry, Inner Mongolia University is seeking outstanding postdoctoral researchers. Qualified candidates are invited to submit their CVs via email for consideration.
zjw11@tsinghua.org.cn; jwz@imu.edu.cn
Postdoctoral Recruitment of Inner Mongolia University 2024
https://rsc.imu.edu.cn/bshgz/zpqs.htm
Link to 2025 PhD enrollment