Enhanced stability in the methanol-to-olefins process shown by SAPO-34 catalysts synthesized in biphasic medium

•SAPO-34 has been synthesized by using a biphasic medium in the presence of surfactants.•The concentration and environment of silicon in SAPO-34 has been controlled.•Catalysts with enhanced activity in the MTO process have been prepared.

SAPO-34 molecular sieves have been synthesized using two-liquid phase system (water/hexanol) in presence of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or hexadecylamine (HA) as surfactant agents. This synthesis method causes higher silicon incorporation as well as greater diversification of the silicon distribution in the SAPO-34 network and decreases catalyst deactivation in the methanol-to-olefins process.

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