Application of Inelastic Neutron Scattering to the Methanol-to-Gasoline Reaction Over a ZSM-5 Catalyst

Russell F Howe; James McGregor; Stewart F Parker; Paul Collier; David Lennon

doi:10.1007/s10562-016-1742-5

Application of Inelastic Neutron Scattering to the Methanol-to-Gasoline Reaction Over a ZSM-5 Catalyst

Catal Letters. 2016;146(7):1242-1248. doi: 10.1007/s10562-016-1742-5. Epub 2016 Apr 15.

Authors

Russell F Howe¹, James McGregor², Stewart F Parker³, Paul Collier⁴, David Lennon⁵

Affiliations

¹ 1Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE UK.
² 2Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 3JD UK.
³ 3ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Oxon OX11 0QX UK.
⁴ 4Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Blounts Court, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9NH UK.
⁵ 5School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Joseph Black Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ UK.

Abstract

Abstract: Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) is used to investigate a ZSM-5 catalyst that has been exposed to methanol vapour at elevated temperature. In-line mass spectrometric analysis of the catalyst exit stream confirms methanol-to-gasoline chemistry, whilst ex situ INS measurements detect hydrocarbon species formed in/on the catalyst during methanol conversion. These preliminary studies demonstrate the capability of INS to complement infrared spectroscopic characterisation of the hydrocarbon pool present in/on ZSM-5 during the MTG reaction.

Keywords: Hydrocarbon pool; Inelastic neutron scattering; Methanol; ZSM-5.