Synthesis of Small-Sized SAPO-34 Crystals with Varying Template Combinations for the Conversion of Methanol to Olefins

Abstract

SAPO-34 molecular sieves were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using different combinations of tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide (TEAOH)/morpholine (Mor)/triethylamine (TEA) as templates, with different silicon:aluminum ratios. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized SAPO-34 were characterized using XRD, SEM, N2 adsorption–desorption, XRF, TG, NH3-TPD, FT-IR, and 29Si MAS NMR analyses. According to the SEM and the N2 adsorption–desorption of the catalysts produced by the ternary template exhibited a larger surface area and a smaller crystal size than those produced by the single or binary templates. The FT-IR analysis indicated the increased acidity of the catalyst prepared by the ternary template. A high activity and selectivity to olefins (C2= + C3=) and an optimal silicon to aluminum ratio of 0.4 were obtained from the catalyst synthesized with the ternary template. At the reaction temperature of 450 °C, the methanol conversion approached 100% and the ethylene–propylene selectivity and the lifetime of the catalyst reached maximums of 89.15% and 690 min, respectively.