Dimethyl ether synthesis via methanol and syngas over rare earth metals modified zeolite Y and dual Cu–Mn–Zn catalysts

A series of zeolite Y modified with La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm and Eu were prepared via ion-exchange, and characterized by XRD, FT-IR and NH₃-TPD. It was found that these rare earth metals were encapsulated in the supercage of zeolite Y and resulted in its enhanced acidity. Among them, La-, Ce-, Pr- and Nd-modified zeolite Y exhibited higher activity and stability (than pure HY) for methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether (DME). For DME synthesis directly from CO hydrogenation using the dual Cu–Mn–Zn/modified-Y catalysts, it was found that Cu–Mn–Zn/La–Y and Cu–Mn–Zn/Ce–Y were more active than Cu–Mn–Zn/pure-HY. The conversion of CO on Cu–Mn–Zn/Ce–HY achieved 77.1% in an isothermal fixed bed reactor at 245 °C, 2.0 MPa, H₂/CO = 3/2 and 1500 h⁻¹.