Coke-Induced Deactivation in Zeolite Catalysts: Mechanisms, Anti-Coking Modifications, and Regeneration Approaches

Abstract

Zeolite catalysts, widely employed in petrochemical and refining processes, inevitably undergo gradual deactivation under industrial conditions. Among the various deactiva-tion pathways, coke-induced deactivation is the most critical, arising from the progressive deposition of carbonaceous species on acid sites and the subsequent blockage of mi-cropores. The characteristics, mechanisms, and kinetics of coke formation are strongly in-fluenced by zeolite structure, acidity properties, and operating conditions, highlighting the need for molecular-level understanding to guide catalyst design and regeneration. This review summarizes recent advances in coke-induced deactivation of zeolite catalysts by covering the mechanisms and physicochemical characteristics of coke formation, strate-gies for enhancing coke resistance through rational catalyst design, and state-of-the-art regeneration approaches. By bridging fundamental insights and practical strategies, this work aims to support the development of durable zeolite catalysts and efficient regenera-tion schemes for sustainable industrial applications.