Dealumination of high silica H-ZSM-5 as long-lived nanocatalyst for methanol to olefin conversion

Addition of Pore-Forming Agents and Their Effect on the Pore Architecture and Catalytic Behavior of Shaped Zeolite-Based Catalyst Bodies

Porous materials, such as solid catalysts, are used in various chemical reactions in industry to produce chemicals, materials, and fuels. Understanding the interplay between pore architecture and catalytic behavior is of great importance for synthesizing a better industrial-grade catalyst material. In this study, we have investigated the modification of the pore architecture of zeolite-based alumina-bound shaped catalyst bodies via the addition of different starches as pore-forming agents. A combination of microscopy techniques allowed us to visualize the morphological changes induced and make a link between pore architecture, molecular transport, and catalytic performance. As for the catalytic performance in the methanol-to-hydrocarbons (MTH) reaction, pore-forming agents resulted in up to ∼12% higher conversion, an increase of 74% and 77% in yield (14% and 13% compared to 8.6% and 7.7% of the reference sample in absolute yields) toward ethylene and propylene, respectively, and an improved lifetime of the catalyst materials.

Silanol defect engineering and healing in zeolites: opportunities to fine-tune their properties and performances

Zeolites have been game-changing materials in oil refining and petrochemistry over the last 60 years and have the potential to play the same role in the emerging processes of the energy and environmental transition. Although zeolites are crystalline inorganic solids, their structures are not perfect and the presence of defect sites - mainly Brønsted acid sites and silanols - influences their thermal and chemical resistance as well as their performances in key areas such as catalysis, gas and liquid separations and ion-exchange. In this paper, we review the type of defects in zeolites and the characterization techniques used for their identification and quantification with the focus on diffraction, spectroscopic and modeling approaches. More specifically, throughout the review, we will focus on silanol (Si-OH) defects located within the micropore structure and/or on the external surface of zeolites. The main approaches applied to engineer and heal defects and their consequences on the properties and applications of zeolites in catalysis and separation processes are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of silanol defect engineering in tuning the properties of zeolites to meet the requirements for specific applications are presented.

Synthesis of Template-Free ZSM-5 from Rice Husk Ash at Low Temperatures and Its CO2 Adsorption Performance

In this paper, a green synthesis method for ZSM-5 zeolite is explored to reduce the synthesis cost, environmental hazard, and reaction temperatures. For the ZSM-5 samples prepared at low temperatures, the influence of factors such as the hydrothermal temperature, crystallization time, and the number of seeds is systematically investigated. The adsorption isotherm of CO2 is used for fitting analysis of adsorption models and determination of the adsorption selectivity. The results show that the best one among the three samples presents the highest CO2 adsorption capacity of 2.39 mmol/g at 273 K and 15 bar. It is prepared with a hydrothermal temperature of 393 K, crystallization time of 7 days, and a seed crystal of 1 wt %. The dual-site Langmuir model can well describe the experimental data, indicating that double adsorption sites rather than the simple single-layer adsorption are dominant in samples. As the pressure increases, the adsorption capacity calculated by the model is much lower than the actual value with a deviation index of 12.5%. At a pressure of 1 bar, the optimal selectivity is attained with sample L-20, viz., CO2/N2 of 34.3 and CO2/O2 of 70.2. The green synthesis method reported in this research can be used to successfully prepare ZSM-5 zeolite, and it shows excellent CO2 adsorption performance. In addition, the use of low-cost raw materials and template-free synthesis methods will facilitate the large-scale application of green synthesis processes in the future.

Catalytic Longevity of Hierarchical SAPO-34/AlMCM-41 Nanocomposite Molecular Sieve In Methanol-to-Olefins Process

INTRODUCTION

SAPO-34/AlMCM-41, as a hierarchical nanocomposite molecular sieve was prepared by sequential hydrothermal and dry-gel methods studied for catalytic conversion of methanol to light olefins. Pure AlMCM-41, SAPO-34, and their physical mixture were also produced and catalytically compared. Physicochemical properties of materials were mainly investigated using XRD, N2 isothermal adsorption-desorption, FESEM, FT-IR, NH3-TPD, and TG/DTG/DTA techniques.

METHODS

Micro-meso hierarchy of prepared composite was demonstrated by XRD and BET analyses. Catalytic performance of materials illustrated that the methanol conversion of the prepared composite was about 98% for 120 min, showing a higher activity than the other catalysts. The initial reaction selectivity to light olefins of the composite was also comparable with those for the other catalysts. Furthermore, the results revealed that SAPO-34/AlMCM-41 preparation decreased the concentration and strength of active acid sites of the catalyst which could beneficially affect the deposition of heavy molecular products on the catalyst. However, as observed, the prepared composite was deactivated in olefins production faster than pure SAPO-34.

RESULTS

The small mean pore diameter of composite could be mainly responsible for its pore blockage and higher deactivation rate. Meanwhile, since the SAPO-34 prepared by dry-gel method had inherently high mesoporosity, the AlMCM-41 introduction did not promote the molecular diffusion in the composite structure.

CONCLUSION

The coke content was found 15.5% for deactivated composite smaller than that for the SAPO- 34 catalyst which could be due to the pore blockage and deactivation of the composite in a shorter period.

Effect of Catalyst (de)activation on Reagent Diffusion in ZSM-5/alumina Extruded Pellet for the Methanol-to-hydrocarbons Conversion

A pelletized ZSM-5/alumina catalyst was prepared by the extrusion technique. The catalyst was activated by ion-exchange with NH4NO3 aqueous solution. The activated catalyst was trained in the methanol-to-hydrocarbons reaction which caused the catalyst deactivation due to coke deposition (6.5 % wt.). Coke deposition resulted in a two-time decrease in the micropore volume. The methane, benzene, and methanol transport through ZSM-5/alumina pellet were consequently studied prior to activation, after activation, and after catalyst deactivation. A slight decrease in the diffusion rate after catalyst activation is observed. After deactivation, the diffusion rate increases insignificantly. The diffusion regime remains unchanged with respect to either activation or deactivation procedure. Contrary, for the methanol, the diffusion rate through a deactivated catalyst pellet remarkably increases due to micropore blockage by coke deposition. The obtained results reveal that the micropores blockage during the catalyst deactivation enhances the methanol mass transfer.

A Supramolecular View on the Cooperative Role of Brønsted and Lewis Acid Sites in Zeolites for Methanol Conversion

A systematic molecular level and spectroscopic investigation is presented to show the cooperative role of Brønsted acid and Lewis acid sites in zeolites for the conversion of methanol. Extra-framework alkaline-earth metal containing species and aluminum species decrease the number of Brønsted acid sites, as protonated metal clusters are formed. A combined experimental and theoretical effort shows that postsynthetically modified ZSM-5 zeolites, by incorporation of extra-framework alkaline-earth metals or by demetalation with dealuminating agents, contain both mononuclear [MOH]⁺ and double protonated binuclear metal clusters [M(μ-OH)₂M]²⁺ (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and HOAl). The metal in the extra-framework clusters has a Lewis acid character, which is confirmed experimentally and theoretically by IR spectra of adsorbed pyridine. The strength of the Lewis acid sites (Mg > Ca > Sr > Ba) was characterized by a blue shift of characteristic IR peaks, thus offering a tool to sample Lewis acidity experimentally. The incorporation of extra-framework Lewis acid sites has a substantial influence on the reactivity of propene and benzene methylations. Alkaline-earth Lewis acid sites yield increased benzene methylation barriers and destabilization of typical aromatic intermediates, whereas propene methylation routes are less affected. The effect on the catalytic function is especially induced by the double protonated binuclear species. Overall, the extra-framework metal clusters have a dual effect on the catalytic function. By reducing the number of Brønsted acid sites and suppressing typical catalytic reactions in which aromatics are involved, an optimal propene selectivity and increased lifetime for methanol conversion over zeolites is obtained. The combined experimental and theoretical approach gives a unique insight into the nature of the supramolecular zeolite catalyst for methanol conversion which can be meticulously tuned by subtle interplay of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites.

Preparation of hierarchical HZSM-5 zeolites with combined desilication with NaAlO2/tetrapropylammonium hydroxide and acid modification for converting methanol to propylene

A two-step route comprising desilication by NaAlO₂/TPAOH mixture, followed by acid washing was used to produce mesoporous HZSM-5. The optimum alkaline-acid treated sample showed high stability (640 h) compared to the parent one in MTP reaction (425 h).