Dual template-directed synthesis of SAPO-34 nanosheet assemblies with improved stability in the methanol to olefins reaction

A spherical self-assembly of SAPO-34 nanosheets was hydrothermally synthesized by using a quaternary ammonium-type organosilane surfactant [3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl]octadecyldimethylammonium chloride (TPOAC) as the mesoporogen and a part of the silica source, and diethylamine (DEA) as the microporous template. The prepared materials were well characterized by XRD, XRF, SEM, TEM, N-2 adsorption-desorption, NH3-TPD, NH3-adsorbed IR and pyridine-adsorbed IR measurements. It revealed that the morphologies, compositions and acidity of the SAPO-34 products changed significantly with the increased TPOAC/TEOS ratio, showing that the TPOAC/TEOS ratio had a significant impact on the crystallization process of SAPO-34. Solid state C-13, Si-29 NMR and TG-DTA analyses were further conducted to investigate the status of TPOAC in the final products. A possible crystallization process involving TPOAC was proposed. The catalytic performances of the synthesized SAPO-34s were evaluated using the MTO reaction. The optimal SAPO-34 nanosheet assemblies with a hierarchical porous structure displayed a remarkably enhanced catalytic lifetime and high yields of light olefins.