Catalytic roles of the acid sites in different pore channels of H-ZSM-5 zeolite for methanol-to-olefins conversion

Selectivity descriptors of the catalytic n-hexane cracking process over 10-membered ring zeolites

Zeolite-mediated catalytic cracking of alkanes is pivotal in the petrochemical and refining industry, breaking down heavier hydrocarbon feedstocks into fuels and chemicals. Its relevance also extends to emerging technologies such as biomass and plastic valorization. Zeolite catalysts, with shape selectivity and selective adsorption capabilities, enhance efficiency and sustainability due to their well-defined network of pores, dimensionality, cages/cavities, and channels. This study focuses on the alkane cracking over 10-membered ring (10-MR) zeolites under industrially relevant conditions. Through a series of characterizations, including operando UV-vis spectroscopy and solid-state NMR spectroscopy, we intend to address mechanistic debates about the alkane cracking mechanism, aiming to understand the dependence of product selectivity on zeolite topologies. The findings highlight topology-dependent mechanisms, particularly the role of intersectional void spaces in zeolite ZSM-5, influencing aromatic-based product selectivity. This work provides a unique understanding of zeolite-catalyzed hydrocarbon conversion, linking alkane activation steps to the traditional hydrocarbon pool mechanism, contributing to the fundamental knowledge of this crucial industrial process.

Hollow Zeolite Nanoreactor with Double Shells for Methanol Aromatization: Explicit Recognition on Catalytic Function of Inverse Elemental Zone and Shell-Cavity

Core@shell catalyst composited of dual aluminosilicate zeolite can effectively regulate the distribution of acid sites to control hydrocarbon conversion process for the stable formation of target product. However, the diffusion restriction reduces the accessibility of inner active sites and affects synergy between core and shell. Herein, hollow ZSM-5 zeolite nanoreactor with inverse aluminum distribution and double shells are prepared and employed for methanol aromatization. It is demonstrated that the intershell cavity alleviated the steric hindrance from zeolites channel and provided more paths and pore entrance for guest molecule. Correspondingly, olefin intermediates generated from methanol over the external shell are easier to adsorb at internal acid sites for further reactions. Importantly, the diffusion of generated aromatic macromolecules to the external surface is also promoted, which slows down the formation of internal coke, and ensures the use of internal acid sites for aromatization. The aromatics selectivity of the nanoreactor remained at 8% after 154 h, while that of solid core@shell catalyst decreased to 2% after 75 h. This finding promises broader insight to improve internal active site utilization of core@shell catalyst at the diffusion level and can be great aid in the flexible design of multifunctional nanoreactors to enhance the relay efficiency.

Controlling product selectivity and catalyst lifetime by altering acid strength, cavity size of SAPO, and diffusion rate of methanol in the MTO reaction: DFT and MD calculations

The initiation mechanisms of the MTO process over silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) catalysts with zeolite-like structures using first-principles calculations have been investigated. The supramolecular system of silicoaluminophosphates consisting of inorganic cages with Brønsted acid sites and trapped organic compounds was used as a catalyst in the MTO reaction. To study the structure-property relationship in more detail, the effect of acidity and cage size of different types of SAPOs (SAPO-18, SAPO-34, and SAPO-17 with CHA, AEI, and ERI structures, respectively) in the aromatic cycle of hydrocarbon pool mechanism was investigated. The differences in reaction barriers can be explained by the cage size, pore topology, and environment of framework protons of materials. Product selectivity was controlled by using cavity-type zeolite, the steric constraint of the cavity for the formation of critical intermediates, and acidic strength. The results show that ethylene selectivity increases as the cavity size decreases, and the elliptical pore size of the structures decreases, thereby decreasing the acidity of the zeolite structure, leading to an increase in propylene selectivity. SAPO-18 exhibits the longest reaction lifetime and has the highest amount of carbonaceous material after reaction completion. SAPO-17 with small pore and cavity size is selective to ethylene, although it shows a rapid catalyst deactivation rate.

Molecular Views on Mechanisms of Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Reactions in Zeolites

The Brønsted acidity of proton-exchanged zeolites has historically led to the most impactful applications of these materials in heterogeneous catalysis, mainly in the fields of transformations of hydrocarbons and oxygenates. Unravelling the mechanisms at the atomic scale of these transformations has been the object of tremendous efforts in the last decades. Such investigations have extended our fundamental knowledge about the respective roles of acidity and confinement in the catalytic properties of proton exchanged zeolites. The emerging concepts are of general relevance at the crossroad of heterogeneous catalysis and molecular chemistry. In the present review, emphasis is given to molecular views on the mechanism of generic transformations catalyzed by Brønsted acid sites of zeolites, combining the information gained from advanced kinetic analysis, in situ, and operando spectroscopies, and quantum chemistry calculations. After reviewing the current knowledge on the nature of the Brønsted acid sites themselves, and the key parameters in catalysis by zeolites, a focus is made on reactions undergone by alkenes, alkanes, aromatic molecules, alcohols, and polyhydroxy molecules. Elementary events of C-C, C-H, and C-O bond breaking and formation are at the core of these reactions. Outlooks are given to take up the future challenges in the field, aiming at getting ever more accurate views on these mechanisms, and as the ultimate goal, to provide rational tools for the design of improved zeolite-based Brønsted acid catalysts.

Rapid solvent-free synthesis of nano-sized ZSM-5 with low Si/Al ratio at 90 °C

Nano-sized ZSM-5 zeolites with wide framework Si/Al ratios are highly desired in petrochemical and other fields, whereas the synthesis suffers from cost, efficiency and environmental issues. Herein, a new protocol...