Hierarchical H-ZSM5 zeolites based on natural kaolinite as a high-performance catalyst for methanol to aromatic hydrocarbons conversion

The present work introduces a good prospect for the development of hierarchical catalysts with excellent catalytic performance in the methanol to aromatic hydrocarbons conversion (MTA) process. Hierarchical H-ZSM5 zeolites, with a tailored pore size and different Si/Al ratios, were synthesized directly using natural kaolin clay as a low-cost silica and aluminium resource. Further explored for the direct synthesis of hierarchical HZSM-5 structures was the steam assisted conversion (SAC) with a cost-effective and green affordable saccharide source of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), as a secondary mesopore agent. The fabricated zeolites exhibiting good crystallinity, 2D and 3D nanostructures, high specific surface area, tailored pore size, and tunable acidity. Finally, the catalyst performance in the conversion of methanol to aromatic hydrocarbons was tested in a fixed bed reactor. The synthesized H-ZSM5 catalysts exhibited superior methanol conversion (over 100 h up to 90%) and selectivity (over 85%) in the methanol conversion to aromatic hydrocarbon products.