Novel method for gel preparation of amine-templated SAPO-34: fractured crystals for enhanced methanol-to-olefin catalysis

Abstract

The methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process is a promising method for producing light olefins, which are essential intermediates in petrochemical processes. SAPO-34, a crucial catalyst for the MTO process, often suffers from compromised quality when synthesized using low-cost precursors. This study presents a novel and efficient gel preparation method to enhance the performance of amine-templated SAPO-34. Comprehensive characterization through XRD, SEM, EDX, XRF, N₂ physisorption, and FTIR analyses provided insights into the catalyst structure and composition. The results exhibit promoting nucleation, crystal growth, and silica incorporation while suppressing impurities. Notably, increased silica incorporation led to the formation of crystal cracks, significantly boosting the specific surface area. The optimized SAPO-34 catalyst exhibited improved catalytic performance, characterized by a short induction period and a sustained high light olefin selectivity of 84% for over 6 h, showcasing the potential of this approach for producing cost-effective, high-performance MTO catalysts.Kindly check and confirm the corresponding author of the article and the first/last name of the authors are correctly identifiedYes. The corresponding author of the article and the first/last name of all authors are correct.