Effect of steaming on the defect structure and acid catalysis of protonated zeolites

The catalytic properties of ultrastable Y (USY) are directly influenced by the zeolite destruction which occurs during formation of USY and during subsequent hydrothermal treatment. A new picture of the formation and evolution of mesopores during hydrothermal treatment has emerged from recent electron microscopy studies on hydrothermally dealuminated USY materials. Laboratory steam treatments give rise to an inhomogeneous distribution of mesopores, which occurs concomitantly with further zeolite dealumination. Such inhomogeneities are observed among different USY grains as well as within single grains. In regions with high defect concentration, mesopores “coalesce” to form channels and cracks which, upon extended hydrothermal treatment, ultimately define the boundaries of fractured crystallite fragments. The predominant fate of aluminum ejected from lattice sites appears to be closely associated with dark bands which often decorate these newly formed fracture boundaries. High-silica Y materials, having little or no nonframework Al, exhibit poor catalytic activity. The results of recent studies provide compelling evidence that the critical nonframework Al species are (1) highly dispersed, and (2) quite possibly exist as cationic species in the small cages of dealuminated H-Y. Investigations of Lewis acidity in mildly dealuminated zeolites indicate that the origin of the high catalytic activity is a synergistic interaction between Brønsted (framework) and highly dispersed Lewis (nonframework) acid sites. The enhanced cracking, isomerization activity associated with the presence of highly dispersed nonframework Al species is not reflected in direct measures of solid acidity, as, for example, by calorimetry, or by NMR spectroscopy. The enhanced activity of mildly steamed protonated zeolites is not due to an increase in acidity of the bridging hydroxyl or Brønsted sites.     

Aromatic Transformations Over Mesoporous ZSM-5: Advantages and Disadvantages

Catalytic behavior of mesoporous ZSM-5 was investigated in toluene disproportionation, toluene alkylation with isopropyl alcohol, and p-xylene alkylation with isopropyl alcohol to understand the effect of the presence of mesopores. Three ZSM-5 zeolites (conventional one and two mesoporous differing in the mesopore volume) having similar Si/Al ratio were synthesized and characterized as for their acidity (internal and external) as well as their micropore/mesopore volume. No substantial differences among three samples were observed as for the type and concentration of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites as well as their location in zeolite channels or on external surface of zeolite crystals. Conversions of toluene and p-xylene increased with increasing volume of mesopores in ZSM-5 zeolite while the selectivity to individual products depended on the type of reaction. In general, selectivity to sum of xylenes in toluene disproportionation, sum of isopropyltoluenes in toluene alkylation and to 1-isopropyl-2,5-dimethylbenzene in p-xylene alkylation increased due to a shorter contact time molecules spent in mesoporous ZSM-5 catalysts. In contrast, para-selectivity decreased as diffusion pathways were shorten due to the presence of mesopores.     

Quantitative Determination of Brönsted Acid Sites on Zeolites: A New Approach Towards the Chemical Composition of Zeolites

An original quantitative method based on H/D exchange between H₂O/D₂O molecules and the OH groups of different zeolites has been developed for the titration of the Brönsted acid sites present on the solid surface. The measured Brönsted acid sites density appears to be in good agreement with the theoretical amount estimated by the Si/Al ratio. In contrary to classical methods, this non-destructive anhydride method titrates the whole quantity of Brönsted acid sites of zeolites.     

Hydrothermal stability of different zeolites in supercritical water: Implication for synthesis of supported catalysts by supercritical water impregnation

Supercritical water (SCW) impregnation is an efficient and feasible method that has been used to prepare highly dispersed supported catalysts, but few studies have investigated the stability of support materials in supercritical water. Thus, our aim was to investigate the hydrothermal stability of zeolite supports (ZSM-5, TS-1, ZSM-35, HY, 13X, Beta, SAPO-11 and SAPO-34) as model compounds in supercritical water. Results showed that almost all of zeolites suffered from crystallinity change, structural properties degradation, obvious desilication and dealumination. The decrease of surface areas and the collapse of crystalline structures in HY, 13X, Beta, SAPO-11 and SAPO-34 were more serious compared to ZSM-5, ZSM-35 and TS-1. The micropore areas and acidity of all SCW-treated zeolites were reduced. 13X with lower Si/Al ratio had higher hydrothermal stability than HY due to the formation of extra-framework Al (EFAL). EFAl also generated strong Lewis acid sites determined by ammonia temperature-programmed desorption and ²⁷Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance. Desilication and dealumination were simultaneous, and led to the increase of framework Si/Al ratio. ZSM zeolites (ZSM-5, ZSM-35 and TS-1) had higher hydrothermal stability than HY, 13X, Beta, SAPO-11 and SAPO-34 in SCW.     

Alkaline modification of ZSM-5 catalysts for methanol aromatization: The effect of the alkaline concentration

The effects of alkaline treatment on the physical properties of ZSM-5 catalysts and on their activities for methanol to aromatics conversion have been investigated. A mild alkaline treatment (0.2 and 0.3 mol/L NaOH) created mesopores in the parent zeolite with no obvious effect on acidity. The presence of mesopores gives the catalyst a longer lifetime and higher selectivity for aromatics. Treatment with 0.4 mol/L NaOH decreased the number of Brønsted acid sites due to dealumination and desilication, which resulted in a lower deactivation rate. In addition, more mesopores were produced than with the mild alkaline treatment. As a result, the lifetime of the sample treated with 0.4 mol/L NaOH was almost five times that of the parent ZSM-5. Treatment with a higher alkaline concentration (0.5 mol/L) greatly reduced the number of Brønsted acid sites and the number of micropores resulting in incomplete methanol conversion. When the alkaline-treated catalysts were washed with acid, some of the porosity was restored and a slight increase in selectivity for aromatics was obtained.     

Realumination of zeolite Y under acidic conditions

Dealuminated zeolites Y were treated with aqueous solutions of various acids and ammonium salts to investigate the realumination behavior under acidic conditions. From the results of ²⁷Al MAS NMR, ²⁹Si MAS NMR and FT-IR measurements, it was found that a part of non-framework aluminum species in the dealuminated zeolite Y is effectively reinserted into the zeolite framework in CH₃COONH₄ and C₆H₅COONH₄ aqueous solutions. Pyridine adsorption experiments also revealed that most of incorporated aluminum species generate tetrahedrally coordinated framework aluminum species, namely Brönsted acid sites. Although the realumination also proceeded in H₂SO₄ and CH₃COOH aqueous solutions, large amounts of incorporated aluminum species were not necessarily responsible for generation of Brönsted acid sites. Framework connected aluminum species, presumably as 3-fold-coordinated Lewis acidic framework aluminum species, were mainly generated. In the TEM image of the realuminated zeolite Y, needle-like crystals with ca. 25–80 nm in length were observed, which are probably due to AlOOH generated from non-framework aluminum species.     

Direct synthesis,characterization and catalytic performance of Al–Fe-SBA-15 materials in selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

A series of Al–Fe-SBA-15 catalysts were synthesized by microwave methods with various iron and aluminum contents. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, NH₃-TPD, FT-IR. Results indicated that all the samples that exhibited well-ordered hexagonal arrays of mesopores, disk-like and petal-like morphologies were observed for different catalysts. NH₃-TPD indicated that the introduction of Al results in the generation of Brönsted acid originated from Al–OH. Brönsted acid played important roles in the selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH₃, NO_x conversion over Al–Fe-SBA-15 samples increased rapidly as temperature increased and achieved 95% at about 360 °C.     

A new way to enhance the coke-resistance of Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst for methane dehydroaromatization

A thermal dealumination method was applied to modify HZSM-5 zeolites, and the Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst pre-dealuminated in N₂ stream exhibited rather high catalytic activity and stability in the methane dehydroaromatization reaction (MDA). ²⁹Si NMR, FT-IR and TPO measurements show that the thermal treatment of the HZSM-5 in inert atmosphere induced partial removal of tetrahedral coordinated Al from the zeolite lattices leading to elimination of the original excess strong Brönsted acid sites (known as responsible for the coke formation), and thus significantly promoted the coke-resistance of the Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst.     

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.     

TUN, IMF and -SVR Zeolites; Synthesis, Properties and Acidity

The effect of synthesis conditions on the preparation and properties of three novel zeolites TUN, IMF, and -SVR was investigated and compared with MFI. X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, chemical analysis, sorption measurements, and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the textural and chemical properties of these zeolites. FTIR spectroscopy in combination with pyridine as probe molecule was used to describe the type, concentration and acid strength of these zeolites. Zeolite -SVR was synthesized with Si/Al ratios higher than 100 in contrast with TUN and IMF having Si/Al ratios about 20–30, respectively. TUN, MFI and IMF zeolites exhibit similar concentrations of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites and also similar acid strength of Brønsted sites. In contrast, the presence of one vacancy/unit cell in the case of -SVR zeolite substantially changes its acidic properties. Generally, zeolites TUN and IMF exhibit similar acidic properties in terms of acid strength and Brønsted to Lewis acid site ratio like MFI and due to their slightly larger pores higher activities in catalytic reactions are expected.     

Synthesis of mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolites through desilication and re-assembly processes

ZSM-5 zeolite crystals with secondary mesopores were synthesized by alkaline desilication and surfactant-induced re-assembly of dissolved species (i.e., silicates, aluminosilicates and zeolite crystal fragments) originating from the parent ZSM-5 crystals. The meso-zeolite products exhibit a dual-mesopore structure in which the smaller mesopores (ca. 3 nm) are attributed to surfactant-induced micelle formation involving dissolved species, and larger mesopores (ca. 10-30 nm) result from desilication processes occurring under the alkaline reaction conditions. The external surface area (i.e., the surface area due to mesopores, macropores and the external particle surface) of the meso-zeolite materials depends on the Si/Al ratio, the hydroxide concentration and the presence of surfactant, and it reaches values as high as 327 m² g⁻¹ when a surfactant is used. The crystallinity of the highest surface-area meso-zeolite is well preserved, maintaining values of ca. 83% (on the basis of micropore volume) or ca. 77% (on the basis of X-ray diffraction intensities) of the parent zeolite structures. Further physicochemical characterization by ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si magic-angle-spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, temperature-programmed ammonia desorption measurements, and inductively coupled plasma elementary analysis support the hypothesis that re-assembly of dissolved species of zeolite crystals occurred by surfactant-induced micellization, resulting in the high external surface area of the meso-zeolite materials.     

Thermogravimetric and microcalorimetric studies of ZSM-5 acidity

The combination of thermogravimetry, microcalorimetry and infrared spectroscopy studies of pyridine adsorption has been used to characterize the acidity of a ZSM-5 catalyst. The majority of the acid sites are Brønsted acid centers associated with framework Al species, with heats of pyridine adsorption equal to 140 kJ/mol. Non-framework Al species in the zeolite sample of this study eliminate an approximately equal number of Brønsted acid sites. These nonframework Al species also produce strong Lewis acid sites with pyridine adsorption heats greater than 140 kJ/mol, as well as weak adsorption sites (e.g., weak Bransted acid sites or hydrogen bonding sites) with heats equal to 90–140 kJ/mol.     

Effect of acid sites of Al- and Fe-Ferrierite on m-xylene isomerization

Metal analogs of Ferrierite (FER) have been prepared by incorporating Fe by single route and Al by three different routes (a) using pyrrolidine (b) in presence of promoting media (perchloric acid) and (c) in presence of anionic surfactant sodium bis-(2-ethylhexyl) sulpho succinate, (AOT) and characterized by FTIR using CD₃CN as probe molecule to study acid sites of these samples. D₃-acetonitrile adsorption on these samples showed a band at 2297 cm⁻¹ corresponding to the interaction of nitrile group with Brönsted acid sites and a band at 2322 cm⁻¹ due to interaction with Lewis acid sites. The concentrations of Brönsted and Lewis acid sites were calculated by using the reported extinction coefficients. The concentration of Brönsted acid sites was found to decrease in the order Al-FER (PER) > Al-FER (AOT) > Al-FER (H₂SO₄) > Fe-FER. The TPD of ammonia of FER samples was carried out to find the acid strength of the samples which decreased in the order Al-FER (PER) > Fe-FER > Al-FER (AOT) > Al-FER (H₂SO₄). The catalytic activity was tested by m-xylene isomerization on Al-FER prepared by three different routes and Fe-FER catalyst and was found to decrease in the order Al-FER (PER) > Al-FER (H₂SO₄) > Fe-FER > Al-FER (AOT).     

Enhanced performance of methane dehydro-aromatization on Mo-based HZSM-5 zeolite pretreated by NH4F

Enhanced performance of methane dehydro-aromatization reaction (MDA) were achieved on a Mo-based HZSM-5 zeolite catalyst in which HZSM-5 were pretreated by a proper amount of NH₄F (Mo/HZ(F)). The results of NH₃-TPD and ²⁷Al MAS NMR demonstrated that the number of Brönsted acid sites decreased on the HZSM-5 zeolite and Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst after NH₄F treatment. TGA and TPO measurements showed that the Mo/HZ(F) catalysts were highly resistant to coke deposition, which resulted mainly from the elimination of the Brönsted acid sites after the pretreatment of the HZSM-5 zeolite with NH₄F.     

Properties of Desilicated ZSM-5, ZSM-12, MCM-22 and ZSM-12/MCM-41 Derivatives in Isomerization of α-Pinene

Limited information is available on the isomerization of α-pinene proceeding on zeolites and related desilicated materials. We wish therefore to report on the title reaction proceeding over ZSM-5, ZSM-12 and MCM-22 type zeolites, parent and modified by the sodium hydroxide treatment. The NaOH solutions of various concentrations (0.05–1 M) were used as a desilicating agent. Such treatments with basic solutions were applied: (i) under atmospheric pressure, and (ii) under hydrothermal conditions. It was shown that ZSM-12 was more resistant towards the basic solutions treatment, and its structure was retained over a whole range of NaOH concentrations studied. Nitrogen sorption revealed strong influence of the desilication process on the pore structure of modified materials—the mesopores system was formed in the zeolite crystals. Finally, catalytic studies were carried out using ZSM-5, ZSM-12, MCM-22, their desilicated derivatives and a ZSM-12/MCM-41 composite material. Catalytic properties of the samples studied were affected to a large extent by the NaOH treatment.     

Modification of pillared MFI zeolite nanosheets by nitridation with tailored activity in benzylation of mesitylene and benzyl alcohol

The modification of pillared MFI zeolites was performed by nitridation of silica pillared MFI zeolite nanosheets under NH₃ atmosphere with different time. The resultant zeolites were characterized by a complementary combination of X-ray power diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), pyridine-IR spectroscopy and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms. The analyses showed that the nitridation didn't destroy the crystallinity and specific surface area of zeolites, and the acidity of zeolites can be tailored by tuning the time of nitridation, resulting in the different concentration ratios of Brønsted-to-Lewis (B/L) acid sites. Moreover, the nitrided zeolites exhibited high selectivity to 2-benzyl-1,3,5-trimethylbenzene than parent silica pillared MFI zeolite nanosheets in benzylation of mesitylene with benzyl alcohol. A balance between Brønsted acid sites and Lewis acid sites can inhibit the self-etherification of benzyl alcohol and enhance the selectivity of alkylated product. These experimental data implied that nitridation was an effective method to modulate the acidity of zeolites and the synergy between Brønsted acid sites and Lewis acid sites was a decisive factor to determine the selectivity.     

Brønsted acidity of amorphous silica–aluminas studied by 1H NMR

¹H broad-line (4 K) and MAS (room temperature) NMR have been used to study the acid strength of two amorphous silica–aluminas interacting or not with adsorbed water. The study is more difficult than for zeolites, because the acidic SiO(H)Al bridges are reversibly destroyed by dehydration. However, an acidity coefficient value (H₃O⁺ concentration per Brønsted acid site when one water molecule interacts with each Brønsted site) of 0.34±10%; has been determined. This value is equal to that obtained for H-faujasite and H-mordenite samples with Si/Al ratios high enough for maximum acid strength.     

MAS NMR, ESR and TPD studies of Mo/HZSM‐5 catalysts: evidence for the migration of molybdenum species into the zeolitic channels

NH₃‐TPD, MAS NMR and ESR spectroscopies were employed to investigate Mo‐modified HZSM‐5 catalysts prepared by impregnation. It was found that the modification of Mo ions results in a pronounced decrease in the intensity of ¹H MAS NMR resonance originating from Brønsted acid sites in the zeolites and a distinct splitting of Mo⁵⁺ ESR signals, which is attributed to the interaction of Mo with the Al atom of the zeolite framework. This presents distinct evidence that Mo ions migrate from the external surface of the zeolite into the lattice channels during the impregnation and subsequent treatment. The remaining Brønsted acid sites associated with the migrated Mo ions form the bifunctional catalytic centers that may be responsible for the outstanding catalytic performance in methane aromatization.     

Alkaline Modification of MCM-22 to a 3D Interconnected Pore System and its Application in Toluene Disproportionation and Alkylation

Modification of HMCM-22 zeolite by alkaline treatment was investigated by various characterization techniques and in toluene disproportionation and alkylation with isopropyl alcohol. This ‘desilication’ process led for mild alkaline concentrations (~0.10–0.20 M NaOH at 323 K for 45 min) to the partial destruction of the zeolite framework, but also to the formation of additional mesoporosity. Furthermore, the accessibility/availability of Lewis acid sites, investigated by d ₃-acetonitrile and pyridine adsorption using FTIR spectroscopy, increased for these mild alkaline treatments, while the Brønsted acidity decreased. Higher alkaline concentrations (up to 0.50 M NaOH) led to a too severe framework and pore destruction and a decrease of both the Lewis and Brønsted acid site concentration. Decomposition and deconvolution of ²⁹Si MAS-NMR spectra confirmed the Si extraction and partial framework destruction, since more Q³ SiOH groups were formed at the expense of the Q⁴ T-atoms in the framework. Furthermore, the T6 and T7 Si-atoms were preferentially extracted, which would indicate that an interconnection between the intralayer and the interlayer and/or outer surface is formed. The toluene conversion in its disproportionation reaction increased for the mildly treated sample, while the selectivity to xylene isomers (and cymene and n-propyltoluene isomers in the alkylation reaction with isopropyl alcohol) was similar to the thermodynamic equilibrium, suggesting that the reaction primarily occurs at outer surface cups of the HMCM-22 zeolite.