Steam Catalytic Cracking of n-Dodecane to Light Olefins over Phosphorous- and Metal-Modified Nanozeolite Y

Nanozeolite Y was synthesized without a template and modified with phosphorous (P) and metals. P was introduced via impregnation with different weight loadings (0.5, 1, and 2 wt %), while ion exchange was developed to introduce zirconium (Zr) and cobalt (Co). The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ adsorption-desorption, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia (NH₃-TPD), and ²⁷Al and ³¹P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The parent nanozeolite Y showed an identical XRD pattern to that of a previous study, and the modified nanozeolite Y showed a lower crystallinity. The introduction of P altered tetrahedral Al to an octahedral coordination, which affected the catalyst acidity. Then, the catalyst was evaluated to produce olefins from n-dodecane at 550, 575, and 600 °C. The conversion, gas yield, and olefin yield increased with increasing temperature. The maximum olefin yield (63%) was achieved with the introduction of 1 wt % P with the highest selectivity to ethylene. The Co-modified nanozeolite altered the zeolite structure and exhibited similar activity to the P-modified one. Meanwhile, Zr-modified nanozeolite Y caused excessive metal distribution, blocked the porous structure of the zeolite, and then reduced the catalytic activity.