Physicochemical and Catalytic Properties of Ni,H/ZSM-5 and Ni,H/ZSM-5–Binder Catalysts Prepared in the Absence and in the Presence of Binder

Abstract

Physicochemical and catalytic properties of H/ZSM-5 and Ni,H/ZSM-5 along with Ni,H/ZSM-5–Al2O3 (1 : 1) systems were examined. The systems with a binder were prepared by two different methods of mixing zeolite with aluminum hydroxide. The samples were characterized by N2 sorption (at 77 K), X-ray diffraction, 27Al magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia and adsorption of pyridine. Preparation of the zeolite catalyst with aluminium hydroxide was made by two methods: (1) mixing of powders and (2) combining appropriate pastes. Regardless of the method used for mixing there was no blocking of zeolite channels by aluminum oxide. The method of mixing zeolite with aluminium hydroxide powders promotes migration of aluminum from aluminum hydroxide/oxide to the zeolite framework. The results of n-hexane conversion showed that with Ni,H/ZSM-5 a slightly lower conversion than with H/ZSM-5 catalyst was observed that can be explained by a reduced yield of cracking products. Ni,H/ZSM-5–Al2O3 (1 : 1) catalytic systems were insignificantly less efficient in n-hexane transformation than alumina free samples but at the same time they were less selective towards hydrocarbons with boiling temperatures higher than this of n-hexane, precursors of carbonaceous deposits.