Hierarchical ZSM-5 by 90° twin intergrowth of mesoporous nanofibers: Synthesis and application in methanol/propanal to hydrocarbon reaction

•ZSM-5 with a unique, threefold hierarchical pore structure were produced.•Hierarchical ZSM-5 formed by 90° twin intergrowth of mesoporous nanofibers.•This hierarchical ZSM-5 show excellent catalytic performance in MTH reaction.

Hierarchical ZSM-5 with tri-modal porosity was prepared and tested in methanol/propanal to hydrocarbon reaction. 90° twin intergrowth of ZSM-5 nanofibers (TIZSM-5) was successfully synthesized with a simple organic, 1,6-bis(methylpiperidinium)hexyl dibromide, as single template. Such TIZSM-5 has a large crystal size (10 μm × 10 μm), open macropore system, and uniform Al distribution. Smaller mesopore with size around 10 nm was then introduced into TIZSM-5 through simple desilication. The resulting hierarchical ZSM-5 is characterized by inter-connected and tri-modal porosity throughout the crystal. Catalyst evaluation indicated the prepared hierarchical ZSM-5 shows excellent catalytic performance in methanol/propanal to hydrocarbon reaction. The catalyst lifetime was 60% longer when compared to the state of art mesoporous ZSM-5 prepared from 8014 by desilication in MTH reaction.

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