Solvent-Free Synthesis of Core–Shell Zn/ZSM-5@Silicalite-1 Catalyst for Selective Conversion of Methanol to BTX Aromatics

We report the synthesis of Zn/ZSM-5 particles coated with a silicalite-1 zeolite shell (core–shell Zn/ZSM-5@silicalite-1) via grinding of the raw silica source materials with TPAOH and Zn/ZSM-5, followed by solvent-free crystallization at 180 °C for 72 h. The product was well characterized by the XRD patterns, N2 sorption isotherms, SEM images, and TEM images. Because of the core–shell structure, the Zn/ZSM-5@silicalite-1 sample exhibits high selectivities for benzene, toluene, and xylenes in the conversion of methanol, compared with those over ZSM-5 and Zn/ZSM-5 samples. The solvent-free synthesis offers an alternative method for preparing core–shell Zn/ZSM-5@silicalite-1 catalysts.