Selective syngas conversion to olefins over bifunctional Zn₂Al₃O₄/PLS-3 catalyst

Designing zeolites with novel topologies and tunable acidity to construct metal oxide-zeolite bifunctional catalytic systems for targeted transformation of syngas into high-value olefins has aroused wide interests. PLS-3 aluminosilicates with the FER topology and unique nanorod crystal morphology, derived from layered precursors with wide Si/Al ratio range of 50 – 300 were applied to combine with Zn₂Al₃O₄ oxide, constructing bifunctional catalysts for selective syngas conversion reaction. The lower Al content in PLS-3 zeolite led to decreased acid amount and the preferred distribution of framework Al atoms in specific tetrahedral locations (T2 and T4), which promoted the formation of ethylene. High-silica PLS-3 (Si/Al = 250) combined with Zn₂Al₃O₄ oxide showed high selectivity for C_2-5= (78.5%) and especially for ethylene (45%), as well as high ratios of ethylene to propylene (E/P, 7.0) and olefin to paraffin (O/P, 21.2). Furthermore, the in-situ IR spectra evidenced that the syngas conversion over Zn₂Al₃O₄/PLS-3 catalyst possibly followed the carbonylation route.