Synthesis and catalytic properties of ZSM-5 crystals with different morphologies in gelatin hydrogels

In this work, ZSM-5 crystals with sheet-like morphology and well-dispersion were successfully synthesized from addition of green and cheap natural polymer (gelatin). The morphology and dispersion of crystals were related to the gelatin amount added to the synthesis gel, the three-dimensional pores of polymer hydrogels can serve as microreactors for controlling zeolite growth and dispersion in a confined space. Catalytic activity for the methanol to hydrocarbons (MTH) reaction of sample synthesized by adding gelatin at a gelatin/H2O mass ratio of 2% was better than that obtained from the synthesis gel free of gelatin. Its excellent catalytic performance can be attributed to the proper acidity, well-dispersion, and sheet-like morphology.