Fabrication of Binder-free Hierarchical ZSM-5 Zeolite Monoliths via Steam-assisted Crystallization

doi:10.1007/s40242-025-5038-4

Abstract

Abstract: Binder-free hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite monoliths were synthesized via a simple steam-assisted crystallization process. Many characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N₂ adsorption-desorption, NH₃ temperature-programmed desorption (NH₃-TPD), pyridine adsorbed Fourier transform infrared spectra (Py-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), were utilized to investigate the crystallization process and physicochemical properties and the monolith catalysts were studied for the cracking of n-hexane to olefins (HTO). The results indicated that the ZSM-5 zeolite monoliths featured high crystallinity composed of nano-aggregates with a microporous framework and an auxiliary mesoporous structure. The total pore volume and specific surface area of the ZSM-5 zeolite monoliths increased with the increase of tetrapropylammonium hydroxide content in the preparation. The monolith catalysts exhibited superior catalytic performance in HTO reaction compared to the control sample shaped with binder. Light olefins selectivity of the ZSM-5 zeolite monoliths increased up to 48% in the subsequent stage of the reaction. This work offers a cost-effective, facile, and scalable method for the preparation of catalysts for the petrochemical industry.

Key words: ZSM-5, Binder-free, Monolith, Steam-assisted crystallization, n-Hexane cracking

SU Xuemei, WANG Yaquan, BU Lingzhen, ZHANG Xian, LI Yaoning, SANG Juncai, REN Guomei, WEN Muhan. Fabrication of Binder-free Hierarchical ZSM-5 Zeolite Monoliths via Steam-assisted Crystallization[J]. Chemical Research in Chinese Universities, 2025, 41(4): 919-928.

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