Steam-assisted catalytic cracking of n-hexane over La-Modified MTT zeolite for selective propylene production

•MTT zeolite showed good activity in the steam catalytic cracking.•Lanthanum modified MTT zeolite showed better stability than H-MTT.•Higher propylene to ethylene (P/E) ratio of ca. 5 was observed over La-MTT zeolite.•High selectivity to light olefins and low BTX selectivity over all catalysts.

Steam-assisted catalytic cracking is an interesting process to produce petrochemicals. Herein, we report the incorporation of lanthanum (La) into MTT zeolite to improve its stability in the presence of steam. A series of La modified MTT zeolite was prepared in a microwave-assisted ion-exchange. The activity of parent and modified MTT zeolites have been investigated in the steam catalytic cracking of n-hexane. Both parent and La modified zeolites showed excellent selectivity to olefins in the steam-assisted catalytic cracking of n-hexane. The incorporation of La into the cation exchange sites of MTT zeolite enhanced its selectivity to light olefins, especially propylene. La-modified MTT zeolites exhibited better resistance to steam. The modification of MTT with a rare earth metal is a promising approach to improve the stability of aluminosilicate in steam-assisted reactions.