Modified Beta Zeolite as Catalyst for Fries Rearrangement Reaction

Modified beta zeolites were applied as catalysts for the Fries rearrangement reaction. The properties of the modified zeolites were characterized by NH₃-TPD, n-hexane and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene adsorption. Modification with SiO₂ did not block the pores of the beta zeolite but reduced the number of acid sites on the surface. However, when the beta zeolite was modified with Ce₂O₃, the number of acid sites determined by NH₃-TPD increased, which indicated that new acid sites are created by the interaction of cerium oxide and zeolite. Modified beta zeolites and H-beta were applied as catalysts for the Fries rearrangement of phenol acetate. Reaction over H-beta has low selectivity and the catalyst is easily deactivated. SiO₂ modification of the catalyst increases the selectivity of the reaction but decreases the conversion. Ce₂O₃-modified beta zeolites show higher catalytic activity and rearrangement selectivity in the reaction than other catalysts. The stability of the catalyst is also improved after Ce₂O₃ modification. About 70% selectivity and 60-80% conversion can be achieved over 16 wt% Ce₂O₃-modified beta zeolite.     

Benzoylation of benzene to benzophenone over zeolite catalysts

The liquid phase benzoylation of benzene with benzoyl chloride (BOC) to benzophenone is catalyzed by various zeolites at 353 K. Zeolite H-beta is found to be more active than the other zeolites. The conversion of benzoyl chloride to benzophenone over H-beta increases significantly with increase in the reaction time, temperature, catalyst/BOC (wt/wt) and benzene/BOC (mole) ratios. The yield of benzophenone decreases with increase in SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio and isomorphous substitution of Al-by Ga- and Fe-in zeolite H-Al-beta in the following order: Al-> Ga-> Fe-H-beta suggesting that high density of acidic centers along with strong acid sites are required for the reaction.     

Characterization of Pd catalysts supported on USY zeolites with different SiO2/Al2O3 ratios for the hydrogenation of naphthalene in the presence of benzothiophene

A series of ultra-stable Y-type (USY) zeolites with different SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios in the range of 10–80 were used as supports for preparing Pd/USY at 2 wt% Pd loading. The FT-IR of hydroxyl groups of USY zeolites, the n-butylamine chemisorption and the temperature-programmed desorption were used in combination to characterize the zeolite acidity. TPR, H₂-TPD and chemisorption using H₂ were used to characterize the Pd reduction and dispersion. The hydrogenation of naphthalene was conducted at 200 °C in the presence of benzothiophene at different sulfur/metal ratios. The hydrogenation activity, selectivity, and the sulfur tolerance strongly depended on the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio (thus the acidity) of the zeolites. The activity decreased with increasing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ in this range. The IR and n-butylamine TPD showed that both the amount and strength of Brönsted acidity decreased with the increase of the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio. The good relationship between the acidity modification and catalytic performance suggests that the sulfur tolerance of Pd/USY zeolite might be due to the desired metal-support interaction, which resulted in larger amount of electron-deficient Pd. However, as shown in TGA and TPO-IR studies, the higher hydrogenation performance on more acidic zeolite also caused higher amount of carbonaceous species on the catalyst.     

Catalytic cracking of isobutane over HZSM-5, FeHZSM-5 and CrHZSM-5 catalysts with different SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ratios

Several systems of HZSM-5, FeHZSM-5 and CrHZSM-5 zeolite catalysts with different ratios of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ (25,38,50,80, and 150) were prepared and they were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis, NH₃-TPD and BET techniques. The results indicated that, compared with uncalcined HZSM-5 zeolites, the total acid amounts, acidic site density and acidic strength of HZSM-5, FeHZSM-5 and CrHZSM-5 zeolite catalysts obviously decreased, while those of weak acid amounts obviously enhanced with the decrease of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio. When the ratio of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ is less than 50, the three systems of HZSM-5, FeHZSM-5 and CrHZSM-5 zeolite catalysts with same ratio of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ gave similar and high isobutane conversions. However, when the ratio of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ was equal to or greater than 80, these three systems of catalysts possessed different altering tendencies of isobutane conversions, thus their isobutene conversions were different. High yields of light olefins were obtained over the FeHZSM-5 and CrHZSM-5 zeolite catalysts with high ratio of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ (≥80). The ratio of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ has large effects on the surface area, and acidic characteristics of HZSM-5, FeHZSM-5 and CrHZSM-5 zeolites catalysts, and thus further affect their catalytic performances for isobutane cracking. That is the nature of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio effect on the catalytic performances.     

Skeletal isomerization of 1-butene over ferrierite and ZSM-5 zeolites: influence of zeolite acidity

Three ferrierite (FER) and five ZSM-5 (MFI) zeolites with SiO₂Al₂O₃ ratio ranging from 27 to 2000 are tested as catalysts for the skeletal isomerization of 1-butene at 350–450°C and atmospheric total pressure in order to study the influence of acidity and pore structure of zeolite on conversion and selectivity. The catalytic and NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption results from FER and MFI catalysts with the same SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio reveal that the pore structure of FER zeolite rather than its acidity may play an important role in achieving high selectivity for the skeletal isomerization of 1-butene to isobutene.     

Research on the Acidity of the Double-function Catalyst for DME Synthesis from Syngas

Two kinds of HZSM-5 zeolite (SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 50,300) were introduced into the STD (syngas-to-DME) reaction and the double-function catalysts containing CuO/ZnO/Al₂O₃ and HZSM-5 were investigated by activity evaluation and NH₃-TPD. It was found that the acidity of HZSM-5 played a critical role in the performance of STD catalyst, and an appropriate acidic amount was required to obtain the best activity of STD catalyst; more and less acidic amount were both unfavorable for DME yield.     

Alkali-treatment of ZSM-5 zeolites with different SiO2/Al2O3 ratios and light olefin production by heavy oil cracking

Four kinds of ZSM-5 zeolites with different SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios are alkali-treated in 0.2 M NaOH solution for 300 min at 363 K. Changes to the compositions, morphologies, pore sizes, and distributions of the zeolites are compared before and after alkali-treatment. The changes observed are largely influenced by the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios with which the zeolites are synthesized. A possible mechanism of desilication during alkali-treatment is proposed. The SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of zeolites is found to influence the yield of light olefins that use heavy oil as feedstock. Alkali-treated ZSM-5 zeolites produce higher yields of light olefins compared to either untreated zeolites or the industry catalyst CEP-1. It is believed that alkali-treatment introduces mesopores to the zeolites and improves their catalytic cracking ability. ZSM-5 zeolites with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios of 50 also present superior selectivity toward light olefins because of their optimized hierarchical pores.     

Synthesis of ZSM-5 type zeolites with and without template and evaluation of physicochemical properties and aniline alkylation activity

ZSM-5 zeolite containing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 28 was synthesised by hydrothermal process with and without template. Characterisation of the zeolites was done using XRD, IR, NMR, SEM and BET surface area measurements. Acidity of the zeolites was measured by ammonia adsorption-desorption. Catalytic activity of HZSM-5 zeolites was evaluated by aniline alkylation, cumene dealkylation, alkylation of benzene with ethylene and propylene and isomerisation ofm-xylene. Catalytic activity is discussed from the point of view of zeolite acidity and morphology.     

The conversions of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene over beta zeolite: Effect of SiO2/Al2O3 ratio

A series of beta zeolites with various SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios has been synthesized. These samples were characterized with respect to crystallinity, particle size, acidity and sorption capacities of water, n-hexane and cyclohexane. The conversion of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (TrMB) was conducted in a fixed bed reactor at 493–743 K and atmospheric pressure. The conversion of 1,3,5-TrMB decreased with an increase in the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of the zeolite. The zeolites with low SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio favored the disproportionation and the zeolites with high SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio favored the isomerization. These can be interpreted by the acid concentration of zeolite. In the isomerization, all zeolites produced more 1,2,4-TrMB than 1,2,3-TrMB. In the disproportionation, the selectivity of tetramethylbenzene (TeMB) was in the order of 1,2,3,5->1,2,4,5->1,2,3,4-TeMB. The concentration of 1,2,4,5-TeMB is greater than that at equilibrium. The results show that shape selectivity comes into effect. The reaction temperature and the reaction time on stream also affect the selectivity significantly due to coke formation in the zeolites. © 1998 SCI     

The catalytic performance of methylation of naphthalene with methanol over SAPO-11 zeolites synthesized with different Si content

A series of SAPO-11 zeolites with different Si contents were prepared by hydrothermally synthesized method. They were characterized by ICP, XRD, SEM, FT-IR, N₂ adsorption-desorption, NH₃-TPD and ²⁹Si MAS NMR, and evaluated by the methylation of naphthalene with methanol to 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene (2,6-DMN). According to XRD and SEM results, the crystallinity of SAPO-11 sample increased with increase of the Si content until the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio was up to 0.2. However, a reduction in the crystallinity was observed with further increase of the Si content of the synthesis. N₂ adsorption-desorption results showed that all the samples possessed micropores and secondary mesopores. SAPO-11 sample with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of 0.2 exhibited the largest secondary mesopores size distributions. NH₃-TPD and ²⁹Si MAS NMR showed that the Si content was incorporated into the framework affecting not only the acid sites but also the acid strength of SAPO-11. SAPO-11 with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of 0.2 presented the high catalytic performances for the methylation of naphthalene, which was mainly attributed to the amount of secondary mesopores in the SAPO-11 zeolite.     

Characterization and catalytic application of MnCl2 modified HZSM-5 zeolites in synthesis of aromatics from syngas via dimethyl ether

The conversion of syngas to aromatics via dimethyl ether was investigated over MnCl₂ modified HZSM-5 zeolites. The results demonstrated that 2%MnCl₂ modified HZSM-5 (SiO₂/Al₂O₃ = 38) exhibited higher p-xylene selectivity than other catalysts and further decreased 1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene selectivity. The CO conversion was obviously increased after 5%MnCl₂ modification to HZSM-5. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, XPS, FT-IR, NH₃-TPD, SEM, element analysis and O₂-TPO. The loading amount of MnCl₂ affected the adsorption and reaction of DME molecules on zeolites. Appropriate amount of MnCl₂ introduction could adjust the acidity and pore volume of HZSM-5 to increase p-xylene selectivity and CO conversion.     

Characterization and Adsorption Behavior of ZSM-5 Zeolite Film on Cordierite Honeycombs Prepared by a Novel in situ Crystallization Method

Thin films of ZSM-5 zeolite prepared on three types of cordierite ceramic honeycomb substrates by a novel in situ crystallization method were characterized by XRD, FTIR, XRF, SEM-EDX, NH₃-TPD and propane gas adsorption to examine the effect of the substrate on various properties of the ZSM-5 films. The substrates were both as-prepared and acid treated cordierite honeycombs. The XRD, FTIR and XRF results showed that silica-rich surface layers were formed on the surface of the honeycombs by the acid treatments. The SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios of the ZSM-5 zeolite formed on these layers increased with increasing time of acid treatment. Both Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ from the substrates were found to contribute to the formation reaction of the zeolite films corresponding to the composition of the interfacial layer. The porous properties of the honeycomb substrates also varied in relation to the amount of zeolite film, which increased linearly with acid treatment time. The presence of the silica-rich interfacial layer between the substrate and zeolite film increased the amount of ZSM-5 and the physical adsorption but decreased the solid acidity and amount of chemisorption.     

Acidity Control and Catalysis of Pentasil Zeolites

Acidities of pentasil zeolites were measured and correlated with aluminum content using the following methods: (1) Acid-base indicator method, (2) NH₃-TPD spectra, (3) GC pulse adsorption of pyridine and 4-methylquinoline, and (4) FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine.

By controlling the acidity of pentasil zeolites, we have succeeded in obtaining high catalytic performance both in paraselective dealkylation of cymenes and in vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime to ?-caprolactam. In the dealkylation, moderate acidity of Li-ZSM-5 was the key to avoid side reactions while keeping a high conversion of cymenes. In the Beckmann rearrangement, neutrality and crystallinity of the pentasil zeolite were keys to obtain a high lactam selectivity, and a high lactam selectivity of 95% was attained by the surface treatment with chlorotrimethylsilane. The active sites were elucidated to be neutral silanols on the external surface of zeolite.     

In Situ Delamination of Ferrierite Zeolite and its Performance in the Catalytic Cracking of C4 Hydrocarbons

Ferrierite (FER) zeolites were synthesized by solid transformation at different alkalinities (OH⁻/Al₂O₃ molar ratios). The in situ delamination of FER zeolites were achieved and their catalytic performances in the catalytic cracking of C₄ hydrocarbons were examined. The relationships among the OH⁻/Al₂O₃ molar ratio, FER structure, composition, surface acidity and catalytic performance in C₄ hydrocarbon cracking were investigated. The results of X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption, NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption and catalytic cracking showed that with increasing OH⁻/Al₂O₃ molar ratio in the synthesis gel, the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio of the as-synthesized FER zeolite decreased, the amount of acid sites in the corresponding H-FER increased, and the acid strength weakened. Additionally, the FER zeolite was delaminated at the mesoscale. H-FER5 synthesized at the highest alkalinity had the largest number of acid sites and exhibited the highest catalytic activity in C₄ hydrocarbon catalytic cracking among three of the prepared catalysts. H-FER3 synthesized at the second-highest alkalinity showed that the highest yield of benzene and toluene because of the secondary pores resulted from the gaps between the layers, which were beneficial to the diffusion and formation of large molecules.     

Catalytic oxidation of benzene with ozone over Mn ion-exchanged zeolites

Catalytic oxidation of benzene with ozone was carried out over Mn ion-exchanged zeolites at 343 K. Benzene was oxidized on Mn-Y to form CO_x without the release of organic byproducts, whereas formic acid was formed with supported manganese oxide catalysts, Mn/SiO₂ and Mn/SiO₂–Al₂O₃. Mn-Y showed higher activity and selectivity to CO₂ than other zeolite catalysts, Mn-β, Mn-MOR, and Mn-ZSM-5. Linear relationship was observed between benzene consumption, CO_x formation and ozone consumption. Formic acid adsorbed on Mn-Y catalyst was completely oxidized to CO₂ with ozone at around 343 K.     

Direct conversion of cellulose into polyols or H2 over Pt/Na(H)-ZSM-5

The direct conversion of cellulose into polyols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol was examined over Pt catalysts supported on H-ZSM-5 with different SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratios. The Pt dispersion, determined by CO chemisorption and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as the surface acid concentration measured by the temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD), increased with decreasing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio for Pt/H-ZSM-5. The total yield of the polyols, i.e., sorbitol, manitol, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, generally increased with increasing Pt dispersion in Pt/H-ZSM-5. The one-pot aqueous-phase reforming of cellulose into H₂ was also examined over the same catalysts. The Pt catalyst supported on H-ZSM-5 with a moderate SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio and a large external surface area showed the highest H₂ production rate. The Pt dispersion, surface acidity, external surface area and surface hydrophilicity appear to affect the catalytic activity for this reaction.     

CO2 and CO adsorption equilibrium on ZSM-5 for different SiO2/Al2O3 ratios

CO₂ and CO adsorption on MFI type zeolites with different SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios (ZSM-5(30), ZSM-5(50), ZSM-5(280), and silicalite) were investigated in this study by a static gravimetric analyzer for pure isotherms at 30°C, 65°C, 100°C, and 135°C over the pressure range of 0–10 atm. Adsorption capacity of CO increases with decreasing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios within ZSM-5. The adsorption of CO₂ for decreasing SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios, showed stronger adsorption at lower pressures and at higher pressures, the highest capacity varied from ZSM-5(50) to ZSM-5(30). ZSM-5(280) was found to have the highest selectivity for CO₂ within the widest range of pressures and temperatures tested.     

Influence of H4SiW12O40 loading on hydrocracking activity of non-sulfide Ni-H4SiW12O40/SiO2 catalysts

The effect of H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀ loading on the catalytic performance of the reduced Ni-H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀/SiO₂ catalysts for hydrocracking of n-decane with or without the presence of thiophene and pyridine is studied. The catalysts were characterized by BET, XRD, Raman, XPS, H₂-TPR, H₂-TPD, NH₃-TPD and FT-IR of pyridine adsorption. It was found that addition of H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀ to the system increases the catalytic activity and the promoting effect is a function of the H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀ loading. The best result was obtained on 5%Ni-50%H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀/SiO₂ catalyst which shows the highest activity for hydrocracking of n-decane and excellent tolerance to the sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the feedstock. The results showed that a suitable amount of H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀ loading on the 5%Ni/SiO₂ catalyst increases the amount of both hydrogen adsorbed and Brønsted acid and Lewis acid sites on the catalyst. The high catalytic performance of the catalyst can be related to the nature of H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀ and the proper balance between metal and acid functions.     

Preparation of discrete colloidal ZSM-5 crystals with high Al-content

A new method for synthesis of discrete colloidal ZSM-5 particles with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ M ratios as low as 30 and sizes .4–1 micrometer has been developed. The relation between the synthesis parameters and synthesis yield, crystal structure, crystallinity, particle size and morphology was investigated. The synthesis yield increases and the deviation of the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio in the product from that in synthesis mixture decreases with increasing autoclave temperature suggesting that the introduction of aluminium into the zeolite structure is favoured by high autoclave temperature during the synthesis and that temperature determines the lower limit of the SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio. The SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio in the synthesis mixture decreases with autoclave temperature suggesting that the introduction of aluminium into the zeolite structure is favoured by high autoclave temperature during the synthesis and that the temperature determines the lower limit of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio. Synthesis mixture, aimed to yield a high SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio, gives smaller zeolite crystals, higher specific surface areas, higher geometric areas (external surface area of the crystals) and a more oval crystal shape compared with lower ratios, synthesised at the same temperature. Higher autoclave temperature during the synthesis gives larger zeolite crystals and a more hexagonal crystal shape compared with zeolites synthesised at lower temperatures, for the same SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios.     

Nitrogen-incorporated TS-1 zeolite: Synthesis, characterization and application in the epoxidation of propylene

A novel nitrogen-incorporated TS-1 zeolite (N-TS-1) was successfully synthesized by direct calcinating the as-synthesized TS-1 powder in NH₃ flow at high temperature. The samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, NH₃-TPD, ICP-AES, CHN, XPS and ²⁹Si MAS NMR techniques. The results showed that nitrogen was incorporated into the framework of TS-1, and N-TS-1 preserved the MFI structure well. The fresh N-TS-1 samples showed low H₂O₂ conversion in the epoxidation of propylene with dilute H₂O₂, which was due to the coverage of the active titanium sites by unstable nitrogen species. By refluxing the fresh N-TS-1 samples with methanol, the unstable nitrogen species were washed out and the conversion of H₂O₂ increased markedly. The stable nitrogen species incorporated into the zeolite framework could effectively decrease the acidity of TS-1 zeolite and inhibit the side reactions, thereby improving the propylene oxide (PO) selectivity. After the 20th run, the N-TS-1-850-5 catalyst gave a H₂O₂ conversion of 91.5%, a H₂O₂ selectivity of 92.0%, and a PO selectivity of 90.9%. Finally, a model for nitridation of the as-synthesized TS-1 powder at high temperature was proposed.