Toluene Alkylation to Selective Formation of p-Xylene over Co-Crystalline ZSM-12/ZSM-5 Catalyst

Abstract

The alkylation of toluene with methanol to selective formation of p-xylene has been systematically studied. ZSM-12 (MTW)/ZSM-5 co-crystalline zeolite in 40:60 proportions have been synthesized by the same molar gel composition, but at different temperatures and periods than that of ZSM-12 and ZSM-5, separately. All the prepared samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, BET, and XRF. The activity of toluene alkylation was investigated with a mixture of toluene and methanol as a feed over the ZSM-12, ZSM-12/ZSM-5 co-crystalline, ZSM-5, and physical mixture of ZSM-12/ZSM-5. From characterization, it is observed that the ZSM-12/ZSM-5 co-crystalline material is different from that of ZSM-12, ZSM-5, and their physical mixture. Further, the ZSM-12/ZSM-5 co-crystalline zeolite produces the highest content of xylene and has better selectivity for p-xylene than ZSM-12, ZSM-5, and their physical mixture.