Electron Diffraction Enables the Mapping of Coke in ZSM‐5 Micropores Formed during Methanol‐to‐Hydrocarbons Conversion

Unveiling the coke formation in zeolites is an essential prerequisite for tackling deactivation of these catalysts transformations hydrocarbons. Herein, we present direct mapping micropores ZSM-5 used methanol-to-hydrocarbons conversion by single-crystal electron diffraction analysis. The latter technique revealed a polycyclic aromatic structure along straight channel, wherein high-quality data permit refinement its occupancy to about 40 %. These findings were exploited analyze evolution micropore during reaction. coke-associated signals, which correlate with activity loss, indicate that nucleation commences intersections sinusoidal and channels, while pores occurs late stages deactivation. uncover attractive method analyzing deposition domain.