Tuning Zeolite Properties for a Highly Efficient Synthesis of Propylene from Methanol

A series of nanosized ZSM-5 samples was synthesized at 170, 150, 120, and 100 °C. Experimental data show that the decrease of crystallization temperature leads to significant changes in zeolite properties. Crystals synthesized at 100 °C exhibit many framework defects with lower acid-site density, strength, and a larger external surface area. The selectivity to light olefins and the propylene-to-ethylene ratio increases as the crystallization temperature decreases. A propylene-to-ethylene ratio of above 6 with the highest selectivity to propylene of 53 % was obtained over ZSM-5 catalyst prepared at 100 °C. The stability of the nanosized zeolite in methanol to olefins (MTO) was also improved compared to the industrial sample with a similar Si/Al ratio. This catalytic performance is a result of the decrease in the acid-site density, strength, and the crystals' size, providing a shorter diffusion path and larger external surface area. The presence of structural defects and a different external surface in the crystals has been shown to play an important role in the MTO catalyst performance.