Effect of Binder Type on MWW-Based Catalysts for the Liquid-Phase Alkylation Reaction of Benzene with Ethylene

MWW zeolite is an excellent catalyst in the liquid-phase alkylation of benzene with light olefins, and the relevant shape process is indispensable for its commercial application. In this work, MCM-49 zeolite (MWW-type) synthesized with low-toxicity and cost-effective cyclohexylamine was extruded to cylindrical catalysts using silica sol (HMCM-49-SiO2) and pseudoboehmite (HMCM-49-Al2O3) as SiO2 and Al2O3 precursors, respectively. The multiple properties of parent zeolite and shaped catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), N-2-adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), intelligent gravimetric analysis (IGA), etc. Furthermore, the catalytic performance of shaped catalysts was evaluated in the liquid-phase alkylation of benzene with ethylene. The final results revealed that HMCM-49-SiO2, with less Lewis acid sites and excellent diffusion property, exhibited superior catalytic performance in the liquid-phase alkylation of benzene with ethylene compared with the counterpart using Al2O3 as a binder. Moreover, HMCM-49-SiO2 showed excellent catalytic stability in a 1000 h lifetime test.

Automated summary

MWW zeolite is an excellent catalyst for the liquid-phase alkylation of benzene with light olefins. In this study, MCM-49 zeolite was synthesized with cyclohexylamine and shaped into cylindrical catalysts using silica sol and pseudoboehmite. The properties of the parent zeolite and shaped catalysts were characterized, and the catalytic performance of the shaped catalysts was evaluated. The results showed that HMCM-49-SiO2, with fewer Lewis acid sites and excellent diffusion property, exhibited superior catalytic performance and stability compared to the counterpart using Al2O3 as a binder.