ZSM-5@Zn/ZSM-5 core@shell nanocrystals as integrated catalysts for efficient methanol conversion into aromatics

Abstract

The use of ZSM-5@Zn/ZSM-5 core@shell nanocrystals as integrated catalyst for efficient aromatic production from methanol aromatization is demonstrated. By combining the attributes associated with core@shell structural and acidic features, ZSM-5@Zn/ZSM-5 exhibited synergistic and improved catalytic performance toward methanol aromatization. The effect of Zn/ZSM-5 shell thickness and the acid density of the ZSM-5 core on synergistic performance was systematically investigated. Results showed that aromatic selectivity could be increased with shell thickness and the acid density of the ZSM-5 core, while catalytic stability was subject to the optimization on both shell thickness and core acid density. The strengthening of dehydroaromatization on the shell catalyst after Zn introduction and the hydrogen transfer for aromatization with increasing core acid density was confirmed. A double boost on catalytic stability from methanol conversion along with 40.7% increase on aromatic selectivity could be achieved for core@shell catalyst with a coating ratio of 0.3 compared with that on single core catalyst. The fabrication of ZSM-5 core with low SiO2/Al2O3 ratio for Zn/ZSM-5 not only provided more acid sites to promote the aromatization, but also promoted the dealkylation of the formed aromatics, which could enhance the selectivity of light aromatics and catalytic lifetime. The findings in the work not only enrich the family of core@shell composite zeolite catalysts, but also provide the fundamental understanding on the aromatization process over core@shell structural features.