A novel silicalite-1 zeolite shell encapsulated iron-based catalyst for controlling synthesis of light alkenes from syngas

A well-designed zeolite capsule catalyst with a Core (Fe/SiO2)-Shell (Silicalite-1) structure was successfully prepared by zeolite seeding and then zeolite shell growing via secondary hydrothermal method. The characterization on this zeolite capsule catalyst indicated that it had a compact, defect-free zeolite shell enwrapping core catalyst tightly. The application of this zeolite capsule catalyst was the direct synthesis of light alkenes from syngas via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) reaction. This zeolite capsule catalyst exhibited excellent abilities compared with the traditional FTS catalyst, both on the controlled synthesis of the desirable light alkenes and the suppressing formation of the undesired long-chain hydrocarbons.

Graphical AbstractA novel zeolite capsule catalyst with the special Core (Fe/SiO2)-Shell (Silicalite-1) structure was prepared successfully by using secondary hydrothermal method. In FTS reaction, this zeolite capsule catalyst realized the precisely controlled synthesis of light alkenes, depressed the formation of long-chain hydrocarbons simultaneously.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► A Core (Fe/SiO2)-Shell (Sil-1) structure capsule catalyst was designed and prepared.
► The zeolite shell of the capsule has confined structure and shape selectivity function.
► The catalyst could improve light alkenes selectivity and depress long-chain hydrocarbons.