Synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite from expanded perlite/kaolin and its catalytic performance for FCC naphtha aromatization

A hydrothermal synthesis method for ZSM-5 preparation was investigated by using expanded perlite (or kaolin) as the only alumina source. The ZSM-5 zeolites from the expanded perlite (or kaolin) have a distinctive pore systems which were a combination of a medium pore ZSM-5 zeolite and a large pore matrix perlite (or kaolin). The ZSM-5 zeolites from the expanded perlite (or kaolin) showed a better catalytic activity in the FCC naphtha aromatization reaction compared with ZSM-5 obtained by a ordinary method.