Enhanced Stability of Mo-Promoted Zn/HZSM-5 Catalyst for Methanol to Aromatics

A Mo-promoted Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst was prepared by isometric impregnation method (IM). The physicochemical properties of catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, registration of N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy, NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption and IR spectroscopic study of pyridine adsorption. The results show that by doping zeolite with Mo species it is possible to tune the microstructures, acidity and crystallinity of the catalyst. Additionally, it was found that the 1%Mo(IM)–5%Zn(IE)/HZSM-5 catalyst had a high catalytic activity and stability for methanol to aromatics (MTA) reaction. The yield of aromatics reached 77.3% at 450°C and TOS = 3 h. When the TOS = 98 h, the yield of total aromatics remains at a 60.4% level. The lifetime of catalysts was influenced by the synergetic effect of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, so the modification with Mo may bring an opportunity to prolong the lifetime of Zn/HZSM-5 catalyst in the MTA reaction. The metal components are sintered and lost in continuous reaction-regeneration cycles. Accordingly, the activity of deactivated catalyst cannot be completely restored to the initial level.