In order to elucidate phosphorus-zeolite H-ZSM-5 interactions, a variety of phosphorus-modified zeolite H-ZSM-5 materials were studied in a multi-spectroscopic manner. By deploying single pulse 27 Al, 31 P MAS NMR, 2D heteronuclear 27 Al-31 P correlation (HETCOR), 27 Al MQ MAS NMR spectroscopy, TPD of pyridine monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy, and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM) the interplay and influence of acidity, thermal treatment and phosphorus on the structure and acidity of H-ZSM-5 were established. It was found that while acid treatment did not affect the zeolite structure, thermal treatment leads to the breaking of Si-OH-Al bonds, a decrease in the strong acid site number and the formation of terminal Al-OH groups. No extra-framework aluminium species was observed. Phosphorus precursors interact with the zeolitic framework through hydrogen bonds and physical coordination, as phosphorus species can be simply washed out with hot water. After phosphatation and thermal treatment two effects occur simultaneously, namely (i) phosphorus species transform into water insoluble condensed poly-phosphoric acid and (ii) phosphoric acid binds irreversibly to the terminal Al-OH groups of partially dislodged four-coordinated framework aluminium, forming local silico-aluminophosphate interfaces.These interfaces are potentially the promoters of hydrothermal stability in phosphated zeolite H-ZSM-5.

Complex interactions between phosphorus and zeolites are related to several promotional and poisoning effects in zeolite catalysis.

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A variety of phosphated zeolite H-ZSM-5 samples are investigated by using a combination of Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, single pulse (27)Al, (29)Si, (31)P, (1)H-(31)P cross polarization (CP), (27)Al-(31)P CP, and (27)Al 3Q magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) and N2 physisorption. This approach leads to insights into the physicochemical processes that take place during phosphatation. Direct phosphatation of H-ZSM-5 promotes zeolite aggregation, as phosphorus does not penetrate deep into the zeolite material and is mostly found on and close to the outer surface of the zeolite, acting as a glue. Phosphatation of pre-steamed H-ZSM-5 gives rise to the formation of a crystalline tridymite AlPO4 phase, which is found in the mesopores of dealuminated H-ZSM-5. Framework aluminum species interacting with phosphorus are not affected by hydrothermal treatment. Dealuminated H-ZSM-5, containing AlPO4 , retains relatively more framework Al atoms and acid sites during hydrothermal treatment than directly phosphated H-ZSM-5.