Effect of template removal using plasma treatment on the structure and catalytic performance of MCM-22

To investigate the effect of template removal methods on the structure, properties and catalytic performance of the MCM-22 zeolite, dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment and thermal calcination have been comparatively studied for the removal of hexamethyleneimine (HMI) from the two-dimensional layered precursor of MCM-22 (MCM-22(P)). The materials were characterized using FT-IR, TG, XRD, N₂ adsorption at low temperature, NH₃-TPD, and ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si MAS NMR. The results revealed that the seven-membered heterocyclic compound HMI can be effectively removed from the MCM-22 zeolite, and the condensation of silanol groups on the neighboring surface of MWW nanosheets can be induced by DBD treatment. Compared with calcination, DBD treatment could preserve the structure well and decrease the formation of extra-framework aluminum. Consequently, the concentration of acidic sites over MCM-22 treated by DBD (MCM-22(DBD)) is higher than that over calcined MCM-22 (MCM-22(C)). Moreover, MCM-22(DBD) possesses a certain amount of external surface area derived from the intercrystal pores due to the inhibiting effect of the condensation of the silanol groups on the external surface of the MCM-22 crystals. The activity and product selectivity of the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis was investigated over cobalt supported on the obtained MCM-22 zeolites. Compared with Co/MCM-22(C), Co/MCM-22(DBD) shows a higher catalytic activity in the FT synthesis reaction. Moreover, Co/MCM-22(DBD) can effectively decrease CH₄ selectivity and increase C₅-C₂₀ liquid fuel selectivity.