MODIFICATION OF ZEOLITE-Y CATALYST BY ADDITION OF SELECTED TRANSITION METAL IONS (ZN &CU IONS)

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Zeolite is a microporous nanomaterial with alumina and silicate structure which can be used to crack heavy petroleum fraction to yield lighter components. Recent studies suggest that zeolite can be used for sugar conversion to fuel and value-added chemicals with proper modification. In this study, fresh zeolite -y catalyst was subjected to initial characterization, Brunauser Emmett Teller (BET), X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), X-Ray Flourescence (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and modified. 50ml of prepared standard solution of zinc and copper chloride each was added to 5g of fresh zeolite catalyst and mixed thoroughly for 1 hour at room temperature. The mixture was dried at 110 0C for 24 hours using dry oven. The crystalline solid obtained was calcined at 500 0C for 2 hours in a muffle furnace. The modified catalyst was finally characterized (BET, XRD, XRF and SEM) and the results obtained were compared with the fresh catalyst characterized results. BET results shows that the pore volume, pore diameter and surface area of the modified catalyst increase from 0.309cc/g, 2.105nm, and 627.998m2/g to 0.365cc/g, 2.446nm and 746.062m2/g respectively. Similarly, from the XRD result, the modified catalyst has all the crystalline peaks at Bragg angle (2θ) present in the fresh catalyst with additional peaks formed. The additional crystalline peaks formed show the increase in mechanical strength of the modified catalyst. The SEM results show the change in surface texture of the fresh catalyst from smooth and uniform to rough and agglomerated. Keywords: Zeolite, Catalyst, Transition metals. Modification, Crude, ions.