Influence of various templates on the performance of MFI zeolite in catalytic synthesis of trioxane

Abstract

ZSM-5 is widely used in the field of catalysis due to its stability and tunability. Its acidity can be adjusted not only by varying the initial gel composition, but also by incorporating different types of template to enhance its performance. Both [Ga]-MFI and [Ga, Al]-MFI have demonstrated promising performance in the catalytic trioxane of formaldehyde synthesis. However, there is currently a paucity of research examining the influence of different templates on the catalytic performance of [Ga]-MFI and [Ga, Al]-MFI. The influence of different templates on the structure, morphology, and pore structure of the zeolite has been revealed through the application of characterisation techniques, including XRD, MAS NMR spectroscopy, ICP-OES, BET, and SEM. The impact of different templates on the acid properties of [Ga]-MFI and [Ga, Al]-MFI was assessed using NH₃-TPD and Py-IR. The results of the experimental investigation into the catalytic performance of zeolites synthesised with larger molecular-structured templates indicate that these zeolites exhibit superior catalytic performance. Furthermore, the introduction of Na + ions has been observed to reduce the space-time yield of the products.