Conversion of ethanol into propylene over TON type zeolite

Abstract

TON type zeolites with different SiO2/Al2O 3 ratios (57, 81, 112, and 140) were synthesized using 1,6-diaminohexane, n-butyl alcohol, and 1-ethylpyridinium bromide as structure-directing agents, and the catalytic performance of protonated forms for conversion of ethanol into light olefins such as ethylene, propylene, and butenes was investigated. Although the yields of light olefins were dependent on the SiO2/Al2O3 ratios of the HTON type zeolites and the reaction conditions such as temperature and contact time, the relatively high propylene yield of ca. 25 C-% was obtained. HTONs with higher SiO2/Al2O3 ratios exhibited longer catalyst life. These results strongly indicate that TON type zeolite with 10-membered rings (0.46 nm×0.57 nm) and only straight channels has high potential for the production of propylene from ethanol. The catalytic performance of HTON type zeolite was slightly improved by strontium modification.