Aluminum distribution and active site locations in the structures of zeolite ZSM-5 catalysts
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Zeolites have exceptional catalytic performance in oil refining and chemical synthesis that can be attributed to their well-defined porous structures that host active sites. This study pinpoints the exact locations of aluminum atoms in ZSM-5 structures—a key zeolite catalyst. Aluminum siting governs catalytic efficiency in acid and redox processes. Anomalous x-ray powder diffraction (AXRPD) at the aluminum K-edge probes the long-range order of aluminum atoms within the ZSM-5 frameworks, precisely quantifying both isolated aluminum atoms and Al(-O-Si-O-) x Al sequences (aluminum pairs). Supported by nuclear magnetic resonance studies, AXRPD unambiguously determines the crystallographic organization of aluminum pairs, recognized spectroscopically as α, β, and γ sites, linking their distribution to superior catalytic activity in propene oligomerization. This combined approach provides essential insights for optimizing zeolite catalysts and enhancing their performance.
Source: Science
Language: English
Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: National Science Foundation, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Grantová Agentura České Republiky, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Paul Scherrer Institut, Akademie Věd České Republiky, Narodowym Centrum Nauki
Awards: Unraveling Mechanisms of Coke Deposition within Zeolite Micropores through Advanced Neutron Powder Diffraction Analysis, G2677629327, G2678520069, G3011267836, G3488500230, G4990754889, Go Green CO2 - exploration of paths for sustainable production of green platform chemicals, G7038597411, Catalyst structures in three dimensions
OpenAlex ID: W4409738137