Catalytic cracking of fatty acid
methyl esters (biodiesel) is an
attractive alternative to petroleum processing to produce valuable
and versatile aromatics over the Zn-modified HZSM-5(25) catalysts.
The catalysts with a Zn loading amount of 0–2.6 wt % were prepared
and characterized. The introduction of Zn species presented great
effects on the textural property and acidity of the parent HZSM-5(25)
zeolite, and the chemical state of Zn species was heavily dependent
on the amount of Zn loading. The strong Brönsted acid sites
on the 0.5% Zn/HZSM-5(25) catalyst were exchanged by Zn species and
formed new Zn-Lewis acid sites, which were identified as [ZnOH]+ and Zn2+ species. These Zn species greatly enhanced
the dehydrogenation activation of alkanes to form more alkenes. Besides,
they also promoted the further dehydrogenation reactions during aromatization
of alkenes, thus improving the formation of H2 (>4 wt
%)
and increasing the production of aromatics (>40 wt %). The dominant
components in the organic liquid product were monocyclic aromatics
including benzene, toluene, and xylenes. Moreover, the 0.5% Zn/HZSM-5(25)
catalyst exhibited an excellent stability, adaptability, and regeneration.