Synthesis, characterization and performance of Pt/ Au/ H-ZSM-5/Ɣ-Al2O3 nano catalyst for xylenes and ethylbenzene isomerization process

In this paper, we synthesized the catalyst used in the isomerization process of mixed xylene and ethyl benzene and investigated the physico-chemical properties of it. The p-xylene is the main outcome of this process which is used for producing DMT and PTA. For manufacturing of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), these two materials are used and PET is a part of the compound polyesters, fiber, film and bottle materials. In order to produce catalyst, Gamma alumina (Ɣ-Al2O3) and H-ZSM-5 Zeolite are used as the support catalyst and the main catalyst, respectively. Additionaly, for the sake of increasing the catalyst activity and preventing adverse reactions which lead to increase production of p-xylene, platinum nanoparticles are applied. Using of gold nanoparticles along with platinum nanoparticles is one of the novelties of this correspondence. Several analysis are done (such as NH4-TPD, XRD, SEM/EDX, FE-SEM, XRF, BET, etc) to evaluate the physical-chemical properties of the catalyst. The results of BET analysis revealed specific surface of the catalyst is increased and XRD analysis showed gamma-alumina and zeolite structure maintained during the synthesis. The outcome of NH4-TPD analysis showed presence of acidic sites in the catalyst which includes broad distribution of weak and relatively strong sites. Finally, the impact of essential parameters such as temperature, WHSV, the ratio H2 / HC on the process by Katatest are evaluated.

Keywords:

Catalyst , isomerization , Xylenes & Ethyl benzene , H-ZSM-5 Zeolite , Gamma alumina