Direct synthesis of Al-rich ZSM-5 nanocrystals with improved catalytic performance in aromatics formation from methane and methanol

Nanosized ZSM-5 (<100 nm) zeolites with high acidity (Si/Al < 15) can bring distinct advantages as catalysts for obtaining aromatics in C1 chemistry. Synthesis of such nanosized a cheap and scalable manner remains challenge. Herein, (20–50 = 11) was hydrothermally synthesized yield using p-phenylenedimethylene-bis(tripropylammonium) dichloride (Pr3N-benzyl-NPr3) the sole organic structure-directing agent (OSDA). By investigating solid products formed during zeolite synthesis, it found that crystallization follows solid-state transformation mechanism. An in-depth NMR study combined TGA measurements reveals that, after early electrostatic interaction between condensed aluminosilicate ammonium groups OSDA, crystallizes around OSDA. Owing to its shortened diffusion paths, demonstrates, compared bulk ZSM-5, enhanced formation methanol dehydration non-oxidative dehydroaromatization methane reactions.