Cation-induced speciation of port-size during mordenite zeolite synthesis

Mordenite (MOR) zeolite, an important industrial catalyst exists in two, isostructural variants defined by their port-size, small and large-port. Here we show for the first time how a systematic, single-parameter variation influences the synthesis out-come on the final MOR material leading to distinctly different catalysts. The cation identity has a direct impact on the synthesis mechanism with potassium cations generating the more constrained, small-port MOR variant compared to the large-port obtained with sodium cations. This was expressed by different degrees of accessibility ascertained with a combination of toluene breakthrough and temperature programmed desorption (TPD), propylamine TPD, as well as sterically sensitive isobutane conversion. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffractograms elucidated the preferential siting of the smaller sodium cations in the constricted 8-ring, from which differences in Al distribution follow. Note, there are no organic structure directing agents utilized in this synthesis pointing at the important role of inorganic structure directing agents (ISDA).

Understanding C-H activation in light alkanes over Cu-MOR zeolites by coupling advanced spectroscopy and temperature-programmed reduction experiments

The direct activation of methane to methanol (MTM) proceeds through a chemical-looping process over Cu-oxo sites in zeolites. Herein, we extend the overall understanding of oxidation reactions over metal-oxo sites and C-H activation reactions by pinpointing the evolution of Cu species during reduction. To do so, a set of temperature-programmed reduction experiments were performed with CH4, C2H6, and CO. With a temperature ramp, the Cu reduction could be accelerated to detect changes in Cu speciation that are normally not detected due to the slow CH4 adsorption/interaction during MTM (∼200 °C). To follow the Cu-speciation with the three reductants, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopy were applied. Multivariate curve resolution alternating least-square (MCR-ALS) analysis was used to resolve the time-dependent concentration profiles of pure Cu components in the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra. Within the large datasets, as many as six different CuII and CuI components were found. Close correlations were found between the XANES-derived CuII to CuI reduction, CH4 consumption, and CO2 production. A reducibility-activity relationship was also observed for the Cu-MOR zeolites. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra for the pure Cu components were furthermore obtained with MCR-ALS analysis. With wavelet transform (WT) analysis of the EXAFS spectra, we were able to resolve the atomic speciation at different radial distances from Cu (up to about 4 Å). These results indicate that all the CuII components consist of multimeric CuII-oxo sites, albeit with different Cu-Cu distances.

Cu-loaded zeolites enable the selective activation of ethane to ethylene at low temperatures and pressure

Cu-zeolites are found to activate the C-H bond of ethane already at 150 °C in a cyclic protocol and form ethylene with a high selectivity. Both the zeolite topology and Cu content are found to impact the ethylene yield. Ethylene adsorption studies with FT-IR, demonstrate that oligomerization of ethylene occurs over protonic zeolites, while this reaction does not occur over Cu-zeolites. We postulate that this observation is the origin of the high ethylene selectivity. Based on the experimental results, we propose that the reaction proceeds via the formation of an ethoxy intermediate.

Dynamic Adsorption of CO2/N2 on Cation-Exchanged Chabazite SSZ-13: A Breakthrough Analysis

Alkali-exchanged SSZ-13 adsorbents were investigated for their applicability in separating N₂ from CO₂ in flue gas streams using a dynamic breakthrough method. In contrast to IAST calculations based on equilibrium isotherms, K⁺ exchanged SSZ-13 was found to yield the best N₂ productivity, comparable to Ni-MOF-74, under dynamic conditions where diffusion properties play a significant role. This was attributed to the selective, partial blockage of access to the chabazite cavities, enhancing the separation potential in a 15/85 CO₂/N₂ binary gas mixture.

Discerning the Location and Nature of Coke Deposition from Surface to Bulk of Spent Zeolite Catalysts

The formation of carbonaceous deposits (coke) in zeolite pores during catalysis leads to temporary deactivation of catalyst, necessitating regeneration steps, affecting throughput, and resulting in partial permanent loss of catalytic efficiency. Yet, even to date, the coke molecule distribution is quite challenging to study with high spatial resolution from surface to bulk of the catalyst particles at a single particle level. To address this challenge we investigated the coke molecules in HZSM-5 catalyst after ethanol conversion treatment by a combination of C K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), ¹³C Cross polarization-magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CP-MAS NMR) spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography (APT). XAS and NMR highlighted the aromatic character of coke molecules. APT permitted the imaging of the spatial distribution of hydrocarbon molecules located within the pores of spent HZSM-5 catalyst from surface to bulk at a single particle level. ²⁷Al NMR results and APT results indicated association of coke molecules with Al enriched regions within the spent HZSM-5 catalyst particles. The experimental results were additionally validated by a level-set–based APT field evaporation model. These results provide a new approach to investigate catalytic deactivation due to hydrocarbon coking or poisoning of zeolites at an unprecedented spatial resolution.

Impact of chabazite SSZ-13 textural properties and chemical composition on CO2 adsorption applications

A narrow pore zeolite was synthesized with different Si/Al ratios and micro- to nanoparticle size where both played an important role in CO₂ adsorption.