Issue 8, 2016

Impact of pore topology and crystal thickness of nanosponge zeolites on the hydroconversion of ethylbenzene

Abstract

The gas-phase hydroconversion of ethylbenzene was investigated in the presence of intimate mixtures of *MRE, MFI and MTW-type zeolite nanosponges and a hydrogenating component (Pt/Al2O3). The nanomorphic zeolites were prepared using multiammonium surfactants acting as dual-porogenic agents directing the formation of micro- and mesopores simultaneously. The effects of the zeolite topology (pore size and dimensionality) and crystal thickness on the product selectivity of ultra-thin zeolite frameworks (<10 nm) were investigated. The enhanced catalytic activity confirmed the importance of improved molecular diffusion. These nanosponges were unique in producing more xylenes, suggesting lower confinement effects. The selectivity for p-xylene and the selectivity towards ethylbenzene hydroisomerization, dealkylation, disproportionation, transalkylation and hydrocracking were evaluated. Despite the similar <10 nm crystal thickness of all the nanosponge zeolites, the presence of spacious channel interconnections in MFI was concluded to remarkably impact the product selectivity compared to straight channels as in *MRE and MTW. Our findings clarify the relatively unexplored transformation of alkyl-aromatics over ultra-thin zeolite crystals, through five typical catalytic reactions of major industrial interest.

Graphical abstract: Impact of pore topology and crystal thickness of nanosponge zeolites on the hydroconversion of ethylbenzene

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
25 Nov 2015
Accepted
13 Jan 2016
First published
14 Jan 2016

Catal. Sci. Technol., 2016,6, 2653-2662

Impact of pore topology and crystal thickness of nanosponge zeolites on the hydroconversion of ethylbenzene

F. Marques Mota, P. Eliášová, J. Jung and R. Ryoo, Catal. Sci. Technol., 2016, 6, 2653 DOI: 10.1039/C5CY02029H

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