Methane aromatization using Mo-based catalysts prepared by microwave heating

Mo/HZSM-5 and Cu–Mo/HZSM-5 catalysts for the non-oxidative aromatization of methane have been prepared by microwave heating method. The effects of Mo loading, the molar ratio of Cu/Mo and preparation method on the catalytic performance of catalysts were studied. The results were compared with those for the methane aromatization over catalysts prepared by conventional heating. Both two kinds of catalysts have the maximum methane conversion when the Mo loading is 6%. The catalysts prepared by microwave heating exhibited higher selectivity to benzene than that prepared by conventional heating. The addition of metal Cu to Mo/HZSM-5 catalyst prepared by microwave heating enhanced the lifetime of catalyst, and gave rise to a little increase in methane conversion. The molar ratio of Cu/Mo influenced the methane conversion, and the maximum value was attained when Cu/Mo = 0.05, whereas no significant influence on the benzene selectivity was observed with the increase molar ratio of Cu/Mo. N₂ adsorption results showed that the catalysts prepared by microwave heating have the larger surface area and the similar pore volume compared with the catalysts prepared by conventional heating. This fact revealed that the more Mo species located on the outer surface of catalysts prepared by microwave heating is the main reason why they have better catalytic performance. XRD analysis indicated that the Mo species are highly dispersed on HZSM-5 zeolite. The addition of Cu influenced the dispersion. The actual active phase Mo₂C can be identified on the catalyst surface after reaction. TEM analysis revealed the carbonaceous deposition to have the form of carbon nanotube after reaction, with a uniform size range of 10–20 nm. TG analysis indicated that carbonaceous deposition on the catalysts prepared by microwave heating is lower than that by conventional heating, and the metal Cu further prompts the stability of catalyst. Most of the carbonaceous deposition on catalysts prepared by microwave heating is formed at low temperature and it is easy to burn-off. Coke accumulation at high temperature is the main reason of catalyst deactivation. The carbonaceous deposition formed on the catalysts for non-oxidative aromatization of methane is different from those formed on the catalysts for partial oxidation of methane.