Performance Enhanced SAPO-34 Catalyst for Methanol to Olefins: Template Synthesis Using a CO2-Based Polyurea

Abstract

Introducing mesopores into the channels and cages of conventional micropores CHA (Chabazite) topological structure SAPO-34 molecular sieves can effectively improve mass transport, retard coke deposition rate and enhance the catalytic performance for methanol to olefins (MTO) reaction, especially lifetime and olefins selectivity. In order to overcome the intrinsic diffusion limitation, a novel CO2-based polyurea copolymer with affluent amine group, ether segment and carbonyl group has been firstly applied to the synthesis of SAPO-34 zeolite under hydrothermal conditions. The as-synthesized micro-mesoporosity SAPO-34 molecular sieve catalysts show heterogeneous size distribution mesopores and exhibit slightly decrease of BET surface area due to the formation of defects and voids. Meanwhile, the catalysts exhibit superior catalytic performance in the MTO reaction with more than twice prolonged catalytic lifespan and improvement of selectivity for light olefins compared with conventional microporous SAPO-34. The methodology provides a new way to synthesize and control the structure of SAPO-34 catalysts.