Transition metal promoted ZSM-5 catalysts for the conversion of dimethyl sulfide into methanethiol

Abstract

ZSM-5-supported transition metal catalysts were prepared and used to catalyze the conversion of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) into methanethiol (MT). Test results indicated that the activities of the catalysts for the conversion of DMS increased as follows: Co/ZSM-5>Mo/ZSM-5>Ni/ZSM-5>W/ZSM-5. The decrease in MT selectivity followed the same trend. The characterization results showed that transition metal cations (W6+, Ni2+, Co3+, Mo6+) replaced some Al3+ sites leading to more active in chemiadsorption of DMS and MT since transition metal cations are more active than Al3+. The incorporation of transition metals into ZSM-5 enhances the total acidity of ZSM-5 and increases its capacity to rupture C-S bonds. This subsequently improves its catalytic behavior in the conversion of DMS. We found that the metal active sites and closely situated acidic sites have a strong synergistic effect when converting DMS. © Editorial office of Acta Physico-Chimica Sinica.