Physicochemical characteristics of SAPO-34 molecular sieves synthesized with mixed templates as MTO catalysts

In the present work, a variety of SAPO-34 catalysts have been prepared using various templates such as a single or mixtures of tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH), morpholine, diethylamine (DEA), triethylamine (TEA), dipropylamine (DPA), isopropylamine (IPA) and Diethanolamine (DEtA). It is shown that crystal morphology and physicochemical properties were affected by the kinds of templates and mixture contents. Especially, inexpensive SAPO-34 catalyst with good crystal properties and catalytic performance was obtained by using mixed template of DEA and TEAOH. Through N2 isotherm, XRD, SEM, NH3 TPD and 29Si-NMR techniques, the effect of mixed template on the crystal morphology, acidity and Si distribution were investigated. Catalytic activity and life stability of SAPO-34 in MTO reaction was improved by using mixed template because of the distinction of the crystal size, acidity and Si distribution.