Synthesis of mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolites and catalytic cracking of ethanol and oleic acid into light olefins

Conversion of biomass-derived chemicals into light olefins is a promising method to maintain sustainable development of light olefin industry. In this study, three mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolites (MZSM-5-A, MZSM-5-B and MZSM-5-C) with major pore diameter about 4.8 nm, 16 nm and 22 nm were synthesized using a hydrothermal method by utilizing different templates. The catalytic activity of catalysts was studied by catalytic cracking of ethanol and oleic acid. The influence of reaction temperature on conversion and product selectivity was investigated. The characterization of ZSM-5 samples showed that the orders of the external surface area and mesopore volume were MZSM-5-C > MZSM-5-B > MZSM-5-A > conventional HZSM-5. In ethanol to light olefin reaction, MZSM-5-C achieved the highest light olefin yield (318.3 mL g −1 ) and ethylene selectivity (42.3%) at 400 °C. In oleic acid to light olefin reaction, MZSM-5-B achieved a complete conversion of oleic acid at 500 °C, and obtained the highest light olefin selectivity (38.1%) at 550 °C. The difference may be relevant to the size and chemical structure of feedstock molecular as well as the acidity of catalysts. Regardless of ethanol or oleic acid as feedstock, introduction of mesopore in zeolites significantly enhanced the light olefin yield and selectivity.