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A highly stable bimetallic-sites catalyst of Ni-Zn anchored in the silicalite-1 zeolite framework is facilely fabricated by ligand-protected strategy, synergistically boosting propane dehydrogenation to propylene. [Display omitted] • Bimetallic Ni-Zn site anchored in the silicalite-1 zeolitic framework are fabricated. • Superior catalytic performance on the 0.2Ni0.06Zn-S-1 for PDH is achieved. • High stability and activity of catalyst are remained after regeneration for 4 cycles. • Synergistic effect between Ni-Zn sites favors propylene desorption to reduce coke deposition. Propane dehydrogenation (PDH) is a prospective benign process for the production of propylene, but generally depends on high-price Pt and toxic Cr(VI) catalysts that often suffer from the rapid deactivation derived from metal sintering and severe coke deposition. To overcome these problems, the breakthroughs in an alternative catalyst design with efficient, low-cost and eco-friendly play a crucial role in successfully developing this process. Here, we facilely fabricate the bimetallic-site catalyst of Ni-Zn anchored in the zeolitic framework of silicalite-1 (depicted as NiZn-S-1) by employing ligand-protected strategy, which performs high temperature stability. Under comparable conditions, the NiZn-S-1 catalyst with high Ni/Zn molar ratio of 3:1 (named 0.2Ni0.06Zn-S-1) exhibits superior catalytic activity (initial propane conversion of 32.5 % and actual TOF propane of 28.5 min−1) with low deactivation rate (0.0778 h−1) and great propylene selectivity (>90%) after 30 h on stream. In particular, the catalytic performance on this catalyst almost keeps same as that of fresh catalyst after 4 successive oxidation–reduction cycles. Multiple characterizations further demonstrate that the enhancement of PDH performance ought to be attributed to the synergistic effect between bimetallic Ni-Zn sites, which favors the selective activation of C–H bond and propylene desorption to reduce the formation of coke species with high graphitization degree, boosting the improvement of catalyst stability. The design of novel bimetallic-sites catalyst can give a new idea on the development of alternative PDH catalysts with economical- and environment-friendly in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • HZSM-5 zeolites cross-linked with ultrathin siliceous layer are fabricated. • Catalytic cracking performance of n-butane on the silanization zeolites are largely enhanced. • Diffusion properties of n-butane on the zeolites are quantified by in situ FTIR spectroscopy. • Correlation between n-butane conversion rate per Brønsted acid site and diffusivity is negative. • HZSM-5 with siliceous monolayer intensifies catalytic performance and diffusivity of n-butane. A series of HZSM-5 zeolites are fabricated to make it cross-link with an external ultrathin siliceous layer by chemical liquid deposition and the corresponding thickness is measured by TEM and XPS analysis. In situ FTIR experiments disclose that the external surface acidic sites of HZSM-5 zeolite can be covered even by siliceous monolayer (0.7 ∼ 1.3 nm, HZ5-S1). In comparison to parent HZSM-5, the catalytic cracking performance of n-butane over the modified zeolites are evidently enhanced. In particular, the n-butane conversion rate per Brønsted acid site over the HZ5-S2 (16.02 min−1) at 550 °C is 2.82 times than that over the HZSM-5 (5.68 min−1). Meanwhile, the diffusion properties of n-butane over the zeolites are quantified by in situ FTIR spectroscopic analysis. Negative correlation between steady-state diffusivity and n-butane conversion rate per Brønsted acid site can be found, which unravels the origin of the progressive decrease in the catalytic stability. Under comparable conditions, more advantages can be greatly achieved by HZ5-S1 catalyst in the catalytic activity and the yields to light olefins due to the benign diffusivity and the elimination of external surface acidic sites. This study can provide a guidance for the understanding of diffusion intensification and the rational design of superior catalyst for the catalytic cracking reactions of alkanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]