Preparation and extrusion of ZSM-5 based on biomass templates for enhanced mechanical properties and catalytic pyrolysis performance

Abstract

The fabrication of monolithic ZSM-5 catalysts via extrusion is pivotal for industrial catalytic processes; nevertheless, the addition of adhesives might affect their catalytic performance. Herein, the rice husk-derived bio-SiO₂, serving as a silicon source and natural adhesive, was introduced in the synthesis and extrusion of ZSM-5 catalysts denoted as BioZSM-5, thereby enhancing their industrial viability and catalytic performance. The f-n-BioZSM-5 (obtained by extrusion of n-BioZSM-5) showcased enhanced butene and pentene selectivity, exhibiting robust stability, achieving an impressive 84.8% olefin selectivity (over 10 cycles). The biomass template significantly improved porosity, acidity, and anti-coking properties. Moreover, the f-n-BioZSM-5 exhibited a compressive strength 4.3 times superior to that of f-n-ZSM-5 without using bio-template, achieving better abrasion resistance and enhanced mechanical properties even using 1/3 of the adhesive dosage. These results will provide valuable guidance for developing shaped zeolite catalysts for industrial catalytic pyrolysis applications, especially for the production of olefin from fatty acids.