The synergistic interplay of hierarchy, crystal size, and Ga-promotion in the methanol-to-aromatics process over ZSM-5 zeolites
Kun Liu, Tuiana Shoinkhorova, Xinyu You, Xuan Gong, Xin Zhang, Sang‐Ho Chung, Javier Ruiz-Martı́nez, Jorge Gascón, Abhishek Dutta Chowdhury
Abstract
In the context of advancing social modernization, the projected shortfall in the demand for renewable aromatic hydrocarbons is expected to widen, influenced by industries like high-end materials, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Sustainable methods for aromatic production from alternative sources, particularly the methanol-to-aromatics (MTA) process using zeolite ZSM-5 and associated with the "methanol economy", have garnered widespread attention. To facilitate this transition, our project consolidates conventional strategies that impact aromatics selectivity-such as using hierarchical zeolites, metallic promoters, or altering zeolite physicochemical properties-into a unified study. Our findings demonstrate the beneficial impact of elongated crystal size and heightened zeolite hierarchy on preferential aromatics selectivity, albeit through distinct mechanisms involving the consumption of shorter olefins. While metallic promoters enhance MTA performance, crystal size, and hierarchy remain pivotal in achieving the maximized aromatics selectivity. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of achieving superior aromatics selectivity through physicochemical modifications in zeolite ZSM-5 during MTA catalysis, thereby advancing the field's comprehension of structure-reactivity relationships.