A comparative study of MFI zeolite derived from different silica sources: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance

Abstract

In this paper, a comparative study of MFI zeolite derived from different silica sources is presented. Dry gel conversion (DGC) method is used to synthesize silicalite-1 and ZSM-5 with MFI structure. Two kinds of silica sources with different particle sizes are used during the synthesis of MFI zeolite. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2-sorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF). From the characterization results, it could be seen that the high-quality coffin-like silicalite-1 was synthesized using silica sphere with particle size of 300 nm as silica source, with crystallization time being shortened to 2 h. The schematic diagram of silicalite-1 formation using silica sources with different particle sizes is summarized. ZSM-5 was obtained by adding Al atoms to raw materials during the synthesis of MFI zeolite. The performance of aqueous phase eugenol hydrodeoxygenation over Pd/C-ZSM-5 catalyst is evaluated.