Catalyst deactivation involves a complex interplay of processes taking place at different length and time scales. Understanding this phenomenon is one the grand challenges in solid catalyst characterization. A process contributing to carbon deposition (i. e., coking), which reduces activity by limiting diffusion blocking active sites. However, characterizing coke formation its effects remains c...

Coking resistance: In this work, RuP2-MoP catalysts are shown to be highly stable and selective in the dehydrogenation of long-chain alkanes like n-heptane. Furthermore, active transition metal phosphide is compared its phosphorous-free RuMo-counterpart. addition improving olefin selectivity, incorporation phosphorous into RuMo-surface structure avoids catalyst deactivation.