On the thermal stabilization of carbon-supported SiO2 catalysts by phosphorus: Evaluation in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene and a comparison with relevant catalysts

•P/C/silica materials have been prepared by polymerization of furfuryl alcohol (FA) on a mesoporous silica, followed by H3PO4 addition before pyrolysis.•P addition enhances the oxidative thermal stability of the FA-based carbon coating, based on the apparent activation energies.•P/C/silica materials are readily active (no induction period, as seen for P/silica), selective and stable in the long term for the ethylbenzene oxidative dehydrogenation.•Styrene selectivity of P/C/silica is better than a conventional MWCNT but lower than P/silica.