Abstract: A nano-sized Fe2O3-K2O catalyst was prepared by the impregnation-thermal decomposition method and was evaluated in the ethylbenzene dehydrogenation at 520-580 ℃ under normal pressure. An ethylbenzene conversion of 71.9% with a styrene selectivity of 91.1% was obtained at 550 ℃, N2/H2O/ethylbenzene molar ratio of 30.7/10/1, and WHSV of 0.43 h-1. Transmission electron microscopy andX-raydiffraction results indicated that Fe2O3 nanoparticles in the Fe2O3-K2O catalyst are well distributed with diameters of 10-14 nm. The large number of active sites in the spinel phase of the catalyst is responsible for the high catalytic activity.

Key words: iron oxide, potassium oxide, nano-sized catalyst, ethylbenzene, dehydrogenation, styrene