The methanol to hydrocarbon (MTH) reaction over zeolite catalysts is of major relevance to produce olefins and gasoline from various feed stocks. Large H-ZSM-5 zeolite crystals have proven to be viable model systems to investigate structure-performance relationships at the single particle level. In this work, a dealumination post-treatment on large coffin-shaped ZSM-5 zeolite crystals via steaming has been applied to change acidity, porosity and activity. Combined application of confocal fluorescence microscopy (CFM), in situ UV-Vis micro-spectroscopy, and mass spectrometric (ToF-SIMS) analysis yielded new insight in the acidic properties, mesopore formation, accessibility as well as reactivity and coke formation of large ZSM-5 zeolite crystals upon steaming. With CFM, 3-D localization of both Br�nsted and Lewis acid sites and the distribution of carbonaceous species and accessibility could be resolved. In situ UV-Vis micro-spectroscopy yielded time-resolved bulk information over carbonaceous species, while ToF-SIMS added surface sensitive insight with chemical characterization of the fragments.

Large ZSM-5 zeolite crystals as model systems for understanding the methanol-to-hydrocarbons reaction: Changes in acidity, activity, and porosity upon steaming

244th National Meeting (2012)

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