Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous ZSM-5 core-shell particles for improved catalytic properties

Abstract HZSM-5 is a unique catalyst for the conversion of methanol, dimethyl ether and other oxygenates into gasoline. During this process, catalyst deactivation by coking requires frequent regeneration and the improvement of catalyst life time is one of the challenges in catalyst development. In this study, a series of mesoporous samples consisting of a ZSM-5 core and a silicalite shell have been synthesized and characterized by XRD, N 2 -sorption, IR spectroscopy and electron microscopy techniques. Additionally, desilicated conventional and mesoporous ZSM-5-type samples were investigated. All samples were tested in the MTG reaction, and the results showed that both the shell-coated and the desilicated zeolites are significantly more resistant to coke formation. These results are ascribed to the effect of the removal of structural defects rather than to an improvement of the diffusion properties due to the formation of mesopores.