Thermogravimetric and microcalorimetric studies of ZSM-5 acidity

Abstract

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 Bronsted 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 Bronsted 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.