Studies on molybdenum carbide supported HZSM-5 (Si/Al = 23, 30, 50 and 80) catalysts for aromatization of methane

Here in, for the first time we are reporting molybdenum carbide reduction into metallic molybdenum during methane aromatization on HZSM-5 (Si/Al ratio = 23, 30, 50 and 80) at methane space velocity of 1800 mL.g_cat⁻.h⁻. Benzene yield was influenced by the surface metallic molybdenum through the non-aromatic carbon deposits formation via linear hydrocarbons degradation on HZSM-5 with fewer acidity (Si/Al ratio = 30, 50 and 80). Our XPS analysis results demonstrated improved surface metallic molybdenum in spent Mo₂C/HZSM-5 = 80 (0.71 atom. %) and 50 (0.54 atom. %) samples over Mo₂C/HZSM-5 = 30 (0.33 atom. %) and 23 (0.20 atom. %) samples. Furthermore, HR-TEM and FFT analysis images clearly established fine distribution of distorted spherical shaped Mo₂C particles with 6–14 nm size in spent Mo₂C/HZSM-5 = 23. On the other hand, Mo₂C particle size was increased upto 22 nm in Mo₂C/HZSM-5 = 80. The ease reduction of Mo₂C into metallic molybdenum and aggregation of Mo₂C particles in spent higher Si to Al ratio (50 and 80) samples was associated with weak interactions between Mo₂C and the HZSM-5 with fewer acidity. At 700 °C, the order of benzene yield as follows: Mo₂C/HZSM-5 = 80 (2.2%) < Mo₂C/HZSM-5 = 50 (3.25%) < Mo₂C/HZSM-5 = 30 (5.2%) < Mo₂C/HZSM-5 = 23 (8.0%).