Promoting effect of cerium on MoVTeNb mixed oxide catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene

•Ce incorporated MoVTeNbO catalyst is synthesized by hydrothermal method.•Various characterizations and DFT calculations prove incorporation of Ce.•Incorporated Ce induces enrichments in fraction of V5+ and lattice oxygen capacity.•Enhanced catalytic activity was observed by incorporated Ce than catalyst without Ce.•MoVTeNbCeO-0.1 shows excellent ethylene productivity and selectivity with stability.