The porosity, acidity, and reactivity of dealuminated zeolite ZSM-5 at the single particle level: the influence of the zeolite architecture

A combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM), high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR‐SEM), focused‐ion‐beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB‐SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM), and UV/Vis and synchrotron‐based IR microspectroscopy was used to investigate the dealumination processes of zeolite ZSM‐5 at the individual crystal level. It was shown that steaming has a significant impact on the porosity, acidity, and reactivity of the zeolite materials. The catalytic performance, tested by the styrene oligomerization and methanol‐to‐olefin reactions, led to the conclusion that mild steaming conditions resulted in greatly enhanced acidity and reactivity of dealuminated zeolite ZSM‐5. Interestingly, only residual surface mesoporosity was generated in the mildly steamed ZSM‐5 zeolite, leading to rapid crystal coloration and coking upon catalytic testing and indicating an enhanced deactivation of the zeolites. In contrast, harsh steaming conditions generated 5–50 nm mesopores, extensively improving the accessibility of the zeolites. However, severe dealumination decreased the strength of the Brønsted acid sites, causing a depletion of the overall acidity, which resulted in a major drop in catalytic activity.     

Theoretical study of the adsorption of ethylene on alkali‐exchanged zeolites

The structures of alkali‐exchanged faujasite (X–FAU, X = Li⁺ or Na⁺ ion) and ZSM‐5 (Li–ZSM‐5) zeolites and their interactions with ethylene have been investigated by means of quantum cluster and embedded cluster approaches at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d, p) level of theory. Inclusion of the Madelung potential from the zeolite framework has a significant effect on the structure and interaction energies of the adsorption complexes and leads to differentiation of different types of zeolites (ZSM‐5 and FAU) that cannot be drawn from a typical quantum cluster model, H₃SiO(X)Al(OH)₂OSiH₃. The Li–ZSM‐5 zeolite is predicted to have a higher Lewis acidity and thus higher ethylene adsorption energy than the Li–FAU zeolites (16.4 vs. 14.4 kcal/mol), in good agreement with the known acidity trend of these two zeolites. On the other hand, the cluster models give virtually the same adsorption energies for both zeolite complexes (8.9 vs. 9.1 kcal/mol). For the larger cation‐exchanged Na–FAU complex, the adsorption energy (11.6 kcal/mol) is predicted to be lower than that of Li–FAU zeolites, which compares well with the experimental estimate of about 9.6 kcal/mol for ethylene adsorption on a less acidic Na–X zeolite. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 94: 333–340, 2003     

Dual‐Mesoporous ZSM‐5 Zeolite with Highly b‐Axis‐Oriented Large Mesopore Channels for the Production of Benzoin Ethyl Ether

Dual‐mesoporous ZSM‐5 zeolite with highly b axis oriented large mesopores was synthesized by using nonionic copolymer F127 and cationic surfactant CTAB as co‐templates. The product contains two types of mesopores—smaller wormlike ones of 3.3 nm in size and highly oriented larger ones of 30–50 nm in diameter along the b axis—and both of them interpenetrate throughout the zeolite crystals and interconnect with zeolite microporosity. The dual‐mesoporous zeolite exhibits excellent catalytic performance in the condensation of benzaldehyde with ethanol and greater than 99 % selectivity for benzoin ethyl ether at room temperature, which can be ascribed to the zeolite lattice structure offering catalytically active sites and the hierarchical and oriented mesoporous structure providing fast access of reactants to these sites in the catalytic reaction. The excellent recyclability and high catalytic stability of the catalyst suggest prospective applications of such unique mesoporous zeolites in the chemical industry.     

Separating Xylene Isomers by Commensurate Stacking of p‐Xylene within Channels of MAF‐X8

The development of energy‐efficient processes for selective separation of p‐xylene from mixtures with its isomers is of vital importance in the petrochemical industries. Current industrial practice uses BaX zeolite that has high adsorption selectivity for p‐xylene. Finding para‐selective structures is challenging. With state‐of‐the‐art simulation methodologies we systematically screened a wide variety of zeolites and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Our investigations highlight the crucial importance of the channel dimension on the separation. MAF‐X8 is particularly noteworthy because the channel dimensions and geometry allow “commensurate stacking” which we exploit as a separation mechanism at saturation conditions. Due to a significantly improved capacity compared to BaX, the cycle times for p‐xylene with MAF‐X8 are found to be about a factor of 4.5 longer. This is expected to result in significant process improvements.     

Hierarchical Porous ZSM‐5 Zeolite Synthesized by in situ Zeolitization and Its Coke Deposition Resistance in Aromatization Reaction

Hierarchical ZSM‐5 zeolites with micro‐, meso‐ and macroporosity were prepared from diatomite zeolitization through a vapor‐phase transport process on solid surfaces. The aromatization performance of the catalysts was investigated on a fixed bed reactor by using FCC gasoline as feedstock. The crystal phase, morphology, pore structures, acidity and coke depositions of the hierarchical ZSM‐5 zeolites were characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), N₂ adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and thermogravimetry‐mass spectrogram (TG‐MS), respectively. The results show that the prepared hierarchical ZSM‐5 zeolite possesses excellent porosity and high crystallinity, displaying an improved aromatization performance and carbon deposition resistance due to its meso‐ and macroporous structures.     

Selective Transformation of Syngas into Gasoline‐Range Hydrocarbons over Mesoporous H‐ZSM‐5‐Supported Cobalt Nanoparticles

Bifunctional Fischer–Tropsch (FT) catalysts that couple uniform‐sized Co nanoparticles for CO hydrogenation and mesoporous zeolites for hydrocracking/isomerization reactions were found to be promising for the direct production of gasoline‐range (C_5–11) hydrocarbons from syngas. The Brønsted acidity results in hydrocracking/isomerization of the heavier hydrocarbons formed on Co nanoparticles, while the mesoporosity contributes to suppressing the formation of lighter (C_1–4) hydrocarbons. The selectivity for C_5–11 hydrocarbons could reach about 70 % with a ratio of isoparaffins to n‐paraffins of approximately 2.3 over this catalyst, and the former is markedly higher than the maximum value (ca. 45 %) expected from the Anderson–Schulz–Flory distribution. By using n‐hexadecane as a model compound, it was clarified that both the acidity and mesoporosity play key roles in controlling the hydrocracking reactions and thus contribute to the improved product selectivity in FT synthesis.     

π–π Interactions Between Aromatic Groups in Amphiphilic Molecules: Directing Hierarchical Growth of Porous Zeolites

The development of hierarchical macro‐ or mesoporous zeolites is essential in zeolite synthesis because the size of the micropores limits mass transport and their use as industrial catalysts for bulky molecules. Although major breakthroughs have been achieved, fabricating crystallographically ordered mesoporous zeolites using a templating strategy is still an unsolved challenge. This minireview highlights our recent efforts on the self‐assembly of amphiphilic molecules to obtain ordered hierarchical MFI zeolites by introducing aromatic groups into the hydrophobic tail of the amphiphilic molecules. Owing to the geometric matching between the self‐assembled aromatic tails and the MFI framework, a) single‐crystalline mesostructured zeolite nanosheets (SCZNs), b) SCZNs with a 90° rotational intergrowth structure, c) a hierarchical MFI zeolite with a two‐dimensional square P4mm mesostructure, and d) a single‐crystalline mesoporous ZSM‐5 with three‐dimensional pores and sheetlike mesopores layered along the a‐axis were successfully synthesized.     

ZnZrOx-HZSM-5双功能催化剂催化甲苯与合成气烷基化制对二甲苯

作为重要的有机化工原料,近些年来随着聚酯行业的高速发展,对二甲苯(PX)需求量逐年增高.目前,PX主要通过传统的石油路线生产,例如石脑油催化重整、甲苯歧化和C₈芳烃异构化,这些路线的后续精馏能耗较高.甲醇作为碳源与甲苯烷基化制备PX有效提高了目标产物的选择性,且已实现工业化.然而,由于甲醇生成甲氧基烷基化物种的能垒较高,使反应温度较高,促进了甲醇制烯烃(MTO)副反应的进行,降低了甲醇利用率;且由于积炭的形成,催化剂容易失活.合成气是非石油基资源如煤炭、天然气和生物质等利用的重要平台,在转化为醇类、烯烃以及芳烃路径中将经过甲氧基中间体,因此,本文研发以合成气代替甲醇与甲苯烷基化制备PX的催化剂和催化过程.基于本课题组关于CO₂加氢耦合甲苯烷基化制PX的研究基础,本文将ZnZrO_x(ZZO)与ZSM-5(Z5)混合制得双功能催化剂,用于合成气转化耦合甲苯烷基化制PX.研究结果表明,通过优化催化剂的组成和烷基化反应条件,调控CO加氢反应和甲苯烷基化反应的匹配性,在甲苯转化率为10.3%时,可获得64.8%的二甲苯选择性(不计水煤气变换反应),其中PX占81.8%,气态烃副产物的选择性为10.9%;在相同条件下采用甲醇为烷基化试剂时,二甲苯选择性仅38.5%,其中PX占38.8%,此时气态烃副产物的选择性达26.2%.同位素效应实验结果表明,二甲苯中新增甲基来自于合成气,而非甲苯的歧化反应.催化剂构效研究结果表明,PX的选择性与分子筛孔径、酸性强度以及Br?nsted酸性位点有关;原位红外结果也证实了该反应呈现逆同位素效应(k_H2/k_D2=0.92),表明反应中甲酸盐物种(HCOO*)加氢可能是反应的决速步骤.与传统的甲醇甲苯烷基化路径相比,采用来源广泛和成本较低的合成气与甲苯进行烷基化反应的温度(340℃)更低,有效避免了MTO副反应的发生,同时,该催化剂可在100 h内保持良好稳定性.综上,本工作结果为高效制备高值芳烃PX提供了新思路.     

ZnZrOx-HZSM-5双功能催化剂催化甲苯与合成气烷基化制对二甲苯

作为重要的有机化工原料,近些年来随着聚酯行业的高速发展,对二甲苯(PX)需求量逐年增高.目前,PX主要通过传统的石油路线生产,例如石脑油催化重整、甲苯歧化和C₈芳烃异构化,这些路线的后续精馏能耗较高.甲醇作为碳源与甲苯烷基化制备PX有效提高了目标产物的选择性,且已实现工业化.然而,由于甲醇生成甲氧基烷基化物种的能垒较高,使反应温度较高,促进了甲醇制烯烃(MTO)副反应的进行,降低了甲醇利用率;且由于积炭的形成,催化剂容易失活.合成气是非石油基资源如煤炭、天然气和生物质等利用的重要平台,在转化为醇类、烯烃以及芳烃路径中将经过甲氧基中间体,因此,本文研发以合成气代替甲醇与甲苯烷基化制备PX的催化剂和催化过程.基于本课题组关于CO₂加氢耦合甲苯烷基化制PX的研究基础,本文将ZnZrO_x(ZZO)与ZSM-5(Z5)混合制得双功能催化剂,用于合成气转化耦合甲苯烷基化制PX.研究结果表明,通过优化催化剂的组成和烷基化反应条件,调控CO加氢反应和甲苯烷基化反应的匹配性,在甲苯转化率为10.3%时,可获得64.8%的二甲苯选择性(不计水煤气变换反应),其中PX占81.8%,气态烃副产物的选择性为10.9%;在相同条件下采用甲醇为烷基化试剂时,二甲苯选择性仅38.5%,其中PX占38.8%,此时气态烃副产物的选择性达26.2%.同位素效应实验结果表明,二甲苯中新增甲基来自于合成气,而非甲苯的歧化反应.催化剂构效研究结果表明,PX的选择性与分子筛孔径、酸性强度以及Br?nsted酸性位点有关;原位红外结果也证实了该反应呈现逆同位素效应(k_H2/k_D2=0.92),表明反应中甲酸盐物种(HCOO*)加氢可能是反应的决速步骤.与传统的甲醇甲苯烷基化路径相比,采用来源广泛和成本较低的合成气与甲苯进行烷基化反应的温度(340℃)更低,有效避免了MTO副反应的发生,同时,该催化剂可在100 h内保持良好稳定性.综上,本工作结果为高效制备高值芳烃PX提供了新思路.     

π‐Interactions between Cyclic Carbocations and Aromatics Cause Zeolite Deactivation in Methanol‐to‐Hydrocarbon Conversion

The understanding of catalyst deactivation represents one of the major challenges for the methanol‐to‐hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction over acidic zeolites. Here we report the critical role of intermolecular π‐interactions in catalyst deactivation in the MTH reaction on zeolites H‐SSZ‐13 and H‐ZSM‐5. π‐interaction‐induced spatial proximities between cyclopentenyl cations and aromatics in the confined channels and/or cages of zeolites are revealed by two‐dimensional solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The formation of naphtalene as a precursor to coke species is favored due to the reaction of aromatics with the nearby cyclopentenyl cations and correlates with both acid density and zeolite topology.     

Gemini quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactant‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis: An effective way to tune the textural properties of zeolite and the acidity of Beta molecular sieves

Novel hierarchical Beta zeolites have been successfully synthesized via a one‐pot dual‐templates strategy utilizing gemini organic surfactant and tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH)through hydrothermal process. The influence of several parameters on the formation of hierarchical Beta zeolite, the change in acidity and a possible growth scheme were systematically investigated. The physicochemical properties of these catalysts were characterized by PXRD, BET, SEM, HRTEM SAED, TG and NH₃‐TPD techniques, and the performance as acid catalysts was verified using the transformation of EtOH as a model reaction. On one hand, WAXRD data indicated that decreasing the temperature of synthesis and increasing amounts of C_12‐6‐12 in the process of synthesis resulted in lower crystallinity of Beta zeolites due to the BEA nuclei formation and crystal growth constrained by C_12‐6‐12. On the other hand, SAXRD and HRTEM data evidenced that C_12‐6‐12 initially generated a pseudo‐ordered mesoporous phase which was then partially occupied by the zeolite. After a period of ~96 h for crystallization, the hierarchy zeolite possessing 765.7 m²·g^‐1 of Brunauer‐Emmett‐Tellerarea, and average mesopore size distribution of 3.51 nm can be synthesized, and its microporous structure has a good crystallinity and lower amounts of acid sites than that of the microporous Beta one. Furthermore, the as‐obtained hierarchical zeolite displayed lower deactivation rate mainly due to the less coke formation on the surface of catalyst. It is expected to develop more considerable potential application value for the hierarchical Beta zeolite structure in the near future.     

Steam‐Induced Coarsening of Single‐Unit‐Cell MFI Zeolite Nanosheets and Its Effect on External Surface Brønsted Acid Catalysis

Commonly used methods to assess crystallinity, micro‐/mesoporosity, Brønsted acid site density and distribution (in micro‐ vs. mesopores), and catalytic activity suggest nearly invariant structure and function for aluminosilicate zeolite MFI two‐dimensional nanosheets before and after superheated steam treatment. Yet, pronounced reaction rate decrease for benzyl alcohol alkylation with mesitylene, a reaction that cannot take place in the zeolite micropores, is observed. Transmission electron microscopy images reveal pronounced changes in nanosheet thickness, aspect ratio and roughness indicating that nanosheet coarsening and the associated changes in the external (mesoporous) surface structure are responsible for the changes in the external surface catalytic activity. Superheated steam treatment of hierarchical zeolites can be used to alter nanosheet morphology and regulate external surface catalytic activity while preserving micro‐ and mesoporosity, and micropore reaction rates.     

ZSM‐5 Zeolite Nanosheets with Improved Catalytic Activity Synthesized Using a New Class of Structure‐Directing Agents

A new series of multiquaternary ammonium structure‐directing agents, based on 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, was prepared. ZSM‐5 zeolites with nanosheet morphology (10 nm crystal thickness) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using multiquaternary ammonium surfactants as the zeolite structure‐generating agents. Both wide‐angle and small‐angle diffraction patterns were obtained using only a suitable structure‐directing agent under a specific zeolite synthesis composition. A mechanism of zeolite formation is proposed based on the results obtained from various physicochemical characterizations. ZSM‐5 materials were investigated in catalytic reactions requiring medium to strong acidity, which are important for the synthesis of a wide range of industrially important fine and specialty chemicals. The catalytic activity of ZSM‐5 materials was compared with that of the conventional ZSM‐5 and amorphous mesoporous aluminosilicate Al‐MCM‐41. The synthesis strategy of the present investigation using the new series of structure‐directing agents could be extended for the synthesis of other related zeolites or other porous materials in the future. Zeolite with a structural feature as small as the size of a unit cell (5–10 nm) with hierarchically ordered porous structure would be very promising for catalysis.     

The Effect of Ge Incorporation on the Brønsted Acidity of ZSM‐5

The effect of the isomorphous substitution of some of the Si atoms in ZSM‐5 by Ge atoms on the Brønsted acid strength has been investigated by i) DFT calculations on cluster models of the formula ((HO)₃SiO)₃‐Al‐O(H)‐T‐(OSi(OH)₃)₃, with T=Si or Ge, and ((HO)₃SiO)₃‐Al‐O(H)‐Si‐(OGe(OH)₃)(OSi(OH)₃)₂, ii) a ³¹P NMR study of zeolite samples contacted with trimethyl phosphine oxide probe molecules and iii) a X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study of ZSM‐5 and Ge‐ZSM‐5 samples. The calculations reveal that the effect of Ge incorporation on the framework acidity strongly depends on the degree of substitution and on the exact T‐atom positions that are occupied by Ge. High Ge concentrations allow for enhanced stabilisation of the deprotonated Ge‐ZSM‐5 through structural relaxation, resulting in a slightly higher acidity as compared to ZSM‐5. This structural relaxation is not achievable in Ge‐ZSM‐5 with a low Ge content, which therefore has a slightly lower acidity than ZSM‐5. The NMR study indicates no difference between the Brønsted acidity of ZSM‐5(47) and Ge(0.09)ZSM‐5(36). Instead, evidence for the presence of a substantial amount of Ge? OH groups in the Ge‐containing samples was obtained from the NMR results, which is consistent with earlier FTIR studies. The XPS results do not point to an effect of Ge on the framework acidity of ZSM‐5(47), instead, the results can be best interpreted by assuming the presence of additional Ge? OH and Si? OH groups near the surface of the Ge(0.08)ZSM‐5(47) sample.     

Highly Dispersed Pd Species Active in the Suzuki–Miyaura Reaction

Structures of Pd/zeolites immersed in solvents were measured by in situ X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). Systematic studies revealed that the selection of an appropriate support (USY‐zeolite), thermal treatment temperature of USY, solvent (o‐xylene), H₂ partial pressure (6 %), and the use of a Pd amine complex affect the structure of Pd. As a result, we found that monomeric Pd can be obtained in the USY support with H₂ bubbling in o‐xylene. The structural properties of Pd correlate well with its catalytic performance in the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions; a very high TON of up to 11 000 000 was obtained over the monomeric Pd.     

纳米 ZSM-22分子筛的水热合成及在甲醇转化反应中的性能

分子筛结构的独特性和多样性使其在催化、吸附分离和离子交换等领域有着广泛应用.近年来,纳米分子筛制备和应用受到极大关注.与传统微米分子筛相比,纳米分子筛具有较小的晶粒尺寸、较大的外表面积和较高的表面活性,能显著提高其分离和催化性能.制备纳米晶体的常用方法有过量模板法、空间限定法、晶种法、离子热合成法及微反应器合成法等.目前,已合成出多种拓扑结构的纳米分子筛,包括 FAU, MFI, MEL和CHA等. ZSM-22是一种具有 TON拓扑结构的一维十元环直孔道分子筛(孔口尺寸为0.45 nm ×0.55 nm),在长链烷烃异构化和烯烃异构化等反应中表现出优异的催化活性.水热合成法是制备 ZSM-22分子筛最常用的方法,所得样品晶粒尺寸为2–15μm,但由于 ZSM-22分子筛是一种亚稳态结构,为了防止杂晶生成,合成通常是在剧烈搅拌(通常大于400 r/min)下进行.目前已有报道在较低转速下合成 ZSM-22分子筛,但产物仍为微米晶体;或在微波辅助水热合成条件下合成亚微米 ZSM-22分子筛,但晶体尺寸不可调且合成过程需要较高功率的微波反应器.因此,在水热条件下合成纯纳米 ZSM-22分子筛仍然是一个巨大挑战.本文在上述研究基础上采用改进的水热合成法成功合成出纳米 ZSM-22分子筛,考察了转速﹑硅铝比及乙醇共溶剂对晶粒尺寸的影响,比较了纳米和常规微米 ZSM-22分子筛的甲醇转化反应性能.结果表明,采用改进的水热合成法能够在较低转速下合成出纳米 ZSM-22分子筛,晶体尺寸在150–800 nm范围可调.通过考察转速对晶粒尺寸的影响,发现静态合成条件下无法形成 ZSM-22分子筛,表明 ZSM-22分子筛合成需要一定的转速.转速在10–50 r/min变化时,可以合成出不同晶体尺寸的 ZSM-22分子筛,且随转速提高, ZSM-22分子筛晶体尺寸先减小后增大,表明纳米 ZSM-22分子筛合成存在最佳转速.另外,配料硅铝比能显著影响 ZSM-22分子筛晶体尺寸,随配料硅铝比增加, ZSM-22分子筛晶体尺寸先减小后增大.通过在合成体系中添加乙醇作为共溶剂,考察了有机溶剂对 ZSM-22分子筛晶粒尺寸的影响,发现有机溶剂能显著增大 ZSM-22的晶体尺寸.将本文合成的纳米和常规微米 ZSM-22分子筛用于甲醇转化反应,考察了晶体尺寸对 ZSM-22分子筛甲醇转化反应性能的影响.发现与常规微米 ZSM-22分子筛相比,纳米 ZSM-22分子筛催化剂寿命显著提高,说明晶粒尺寸减小能有效减缓积碳导致的分子筛失活;同时,反应产物中乙烯和芳烃选择性有所提高,这是由于外表面积增大所致.此外,还考察了不同硅铝比 ZSM-22分子筛的甲醇转化反应性能.结果表明,分子筛硅铝比会影响催化剂寿命,但晶体尺寸对催化剂寿命影响更大. ZSM-22分子筛硅铝比增大有助于提高低碳烯烃选择性,减少芳烃生成.     

Direct Synthesis of Nano‐Ferrierite along the 10‐Ring‐Channel Direction Boosts Their Catalytic Behavior

Ferrierite zeolites with nanosized crystals and external surface areas higher than 250 m² g^?1 have been prepared at relatively low synthesis temperature (120 °C) by means of the collaborative effect of two organic structure directing agents (OSDA). In this way, hierarchical porosity is achieved without the use of post‐synthesis treatments that usually involve leaching of T atoms and solid loss. Adjusting the synthesis conditions it is possible to decrease the crystallite size in the directions of the 8‐ and 10‐ring channels, [010] and [001] respectively, reducing their average pore length to 10–30 nm and increasing the number of pores accessible. The small crystal size of the nano‐ferrierites results in an improved accessibility of reactants to the catalytic active centers and enhanced product diffusion, leading to higher conversion and selectivity with lower deactivation rates for the oligomerization of 1‐pentene into longer‐chain olefins.     

Derivative Enthalpies of Adsorption of p-Xylene and m-xylene onto NaY and BaY Zeolites at 150°C: Contribution to the prediction of adsorption selectivity

The derivative enthalpies of adsorption of m-xylene and p-xylene onto the NaY and BaY zeolites were measured at 150°C, then compared with those obtained at 25°C, and finally used to predict the selectivity of adsorption of xylene mixtures. Significant differences were observed as the temperature was elevated: for the NaY zeolite, the adsorbate-adsorbate interactions became prevalent, in contrast with the BaY zeolite, between zeolite and derivative interactions were stronger. The difference between the adsorption derivative enthalpies of the two xylenes displayed an abrupt variation from 2 molec. ^–1 for both zeolites, the filling from which selectivity towards m-xylene for the NaY zeolite and towards p-xylene for the BaY zeolite appeared. The preferentially adsorbed xylene was closely connected with the sense of this difference, which changed with the zeolite.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Preparation of ZSM‐5 Coated on Monolithic Interconnected Macroporous Al2O3 Using Cheap n‐Butylamine as Template

Using cheap n‐butylamine as template, ZSM‐5 zeolites have been successfully synthesized and coated on monolithic interconnected macroporous Al₂O₃ by the secondary growth method. The use of cheap n‐butylamine could significantly reduce the synthesis cost. Hierarchical monolithic ZSM‐5 zeolites were prepared from synthetic mixtures with different H₂O/Na₂O or SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio. The synthesized samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and N₂ adsorption‐desorption. The results show that the hierarchical monolithic zeolites were obtained with cheap n‐butylamine template as template. During the hydrothermal reaction process, the morphology of the micrometer‐sized support was well maintained. The irregular crystals were formed in a wide range of the H₂O/Na₂O or SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of synthetic mixtures and coated on monolithic Al₂O₃. The relative crystallinity of the zeolites was highest at H₂O/Na₂O=250 or SiO₂/Al₂O₃=160. This type of composites exhibited hierarchical porous structures and relatively high specific surface areas.     

Enthalpy and Entropy Barriers Explain the Effects of Topology on the Kinetics of Zeolite‐Catalyzed Reactions

The methylation of ethene, propene, and trans‐2‐butene on zeolites H‐ZSM‐58 (DDR), H‐ZSM‐22 (TON), and H‐ZSM‐5 (MFI) is studied to elucidate the particular influence of topology on the kinetics of zeolite‐catalyzed reactions. H‐ZSM‐58 and H‐ZSM‐22 are found to display overall lower methylation rates compared to H‐ZSM‐5 and also different trends in methylation rates with increasing alkene size. These variations may be rationalized based on a decomposition of the free‐energy barriers into enthalpic and entropic contributions, which reveals that the lower methylation rates on H‐ZSM‐58 and H‐ZSM‐22 have virtually opposite reasons. On H‐ZSM‐58, the lower methylation rates are caused by higher enthalpy barriers, owing to inefficient stabilization of the reaction intermediates in the large cage‐like pores. On the other hand, on H‐ZSM‐22, the methylation rates mostly suffer from higher entropy barriers, because excessive entropy losses are incurred inside the narrow‐channel structure. These results show that the kinetics of crucial elementary steps hinge on the balance between proper stabilization of the reaction intermediates inside the zeolite pores and the resulting entropy losses. These fundamental insights into their inner workings are indispensable for ultimately selecting or designing better zeolite catalysts.