Nanocrystal H[Fe, Al]ZSM-5 zeolites with different silica-alumina composition for conversion of dimethyl ether to gasoline

Abstract Non-petroleum route to produce transportation fuels is alternative way to address the fast depletion of the crude oil reservoir, especially in China. In this work, series of nanocrystal H[Fe, Al]ZSM-5 zeolite samples with different SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratio were prepared with hydrothermal method using sodium aluminate and tetraethyl orthosilicate as Al and Si sources, respectively, and the tetrapropylammonium hydroxide was used for structure-directing agent (SDA). The synthesized zeolites were characterized in detail by UV–Vis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, N 2 sorption, X-ray fluorescence, ammonia temperature-programmed desorption and pyridine-FTIR techniques. Fe species were incorporated into ZSM-5 framework, resulting in the formation of some new active sites. For the Iron-containing nanocrystal ZSM-5 samples with different SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratio, the B and L acid strength and amounts are determined by the coexistence and synergistic effect of Al- and Fe-based acid sites. The catalytic results illustrated that the H[Fe, Al]ZSM-5 zeolite with SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratio for 45 exhibited the best catalytic activity and stability due to its maximum B acid amount and higher B/L ratio. The DME conversion remains at >98% within the 135 h investigation. Moreover, the gasoline yield was up to 72.5%, and the selectivity for aromatics and durene could be reduced to 40% and 1%, respectively.