Facile fabrication of a plate-like ZSM-5 zeolite as a highly efficient and stable catalyst for methanol to propylene conversion

Zeolite catalysts with high propylene selectivity and superior stability are highly desirable in the methanol to propylene (MTP) conversion. Herein, plate-like MFI zeolites with different Si/Al (Ga) ratios were successfully prepared via a fluoride assisted strategy and applied in the MTP reaction. The influences of the zeolite morphology, acid density, and strength on the MTP activity as well as the reaction mechanism were clarified by combining spectroscopic and catalytic results. The plate-like MFI zeolites with lower acid density could efficiently suppress the aromatic-based cycle and promote the olefin-based cycle and thus exhibited a remarkable catalytic performance in the MTP conversion. However, owing to occurrence of irreversible hydrolysis of the Si-OH-Ga group during the MTP conversion, the catalytic activity of the Ga-MFI catalyst was not recyclable. On the contrary, the plate-like ZSM-5 catalyst shows excellent stability and recyclability in the MTP conversion.