The effect of positioning cations on acidity and stability of the framework structure of Y zeolite

The investigation on the modification of NaY zeolite on LaHY and AEHY (AE refers Ca and Sr and the molar ratio of Ca and Sr is 1:1) zeolites was proformed by XRD, N2-physisorption (BET), XRF, XPS, NH3-TPD, Py-IR, hydrothermal stability, and catalytic cracking test. These results indicate that HY zeolite with ultra low content Na can be obtained from NaY zeolite through four exchange four calcination method. The positioning capability of La(3+) in sodalite cage is much better than that of AE(2+) and about 12 La(3+) can be well coordinated in sodalite cages of one unit cell of Y zeolite. Appropriate acid amount and strength favor the formation of propylene and La(3+) is more suitable for the catalytic cracking of cyclohexane than that of AE(2+). Our results not only elaborate the variation of the strong and weak acid sites as well as the Brönsted and Lewis acid sites with the change of exchanged ion content but also explore the influence of hydrothermal aging of LaHY and AEHY zeolites and find the optimum ion exchange content for the most reserved acid sites. At last, the coordination state and stabilization of ion exchanged Y zeolites were discussed in detail.