The low-temperature oxidation of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) during oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP) is investigated using a combination of experimental techniques and theoretical modeling. This study explores the role of gas-phase radicals, such as n-propyl and hydroxyl radicals, in initiating the oxidation process, leading to the formation of oxygen-functionalized h-BN edges. Using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we reveal the mechanism of h-BN oxidation, including hydrogen abstraction, molecular oxygen adsorption, and nitrogen oxide desorption. Experimental results confirm that oxidation occurs only in the presence of both oxygen and propane, demonstrating a critical dependence on reactor geometry on gas-phase radical generation. The oxidation process leads to the incorporation of oxygen into h-BN, forming boron oxyhydroxide phases that influence catalytic activity. These findings provide new insights into h-BN behavior under ODHP conditions and offer guidance for optimizing boron-based catalysts for selective alkane dehydrogenation.

Department of Physical Chemistry Faculty of Chemical Technology University of Pardubice Studentská 573 Pardubice 532 10 Czech Republic

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Flemingovo nám 2 Prague 162 10 Czech Republic

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