This study integrates RF-responsive materials into catalyst structures to enable rapid, localized heating and improve thermal control and energy efficiency in PDH reactions. To achieve this, we developed RF-responsive catalyst hybrids incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as susceptors to facilitate direct RF energy absorption. A fixed-bed reactor was employed to compare the performance of conventional heating and RF heating. Catalytic experiments at temperatures around 500 °C using Pt/Al2O3 demonstrated that RF heating enables comparable propane conversion while allowing for localized heating, potentially reducing overall energy losses. The addition of Sn to the Pt-based catalyst further improved selectivity toward propylene, with a notable suppression of methane formation as the Sn/Pt ratio increased. Additionally, early results of RF heating suggest that precise susceptor control may allow for in-situ regeneration of the catalyst, supporting sustained reactor performance.
This work highlights the potential of RF heating as an electrified alternative for high-temperature catalytic processes. The integration of RF-responsive materials into reactor systems enables more efficient heat management, faster thermal response, and reduced dependence on fossil fuel-derived energy. Ongoing efforts aim to optimize RF absorption characteristics, enhance regeneration capabilities, and extend this approach to other endothermic catalytic reactions relevant to sustainable chemical manufacturing.