Mechanochemical Preparation of Compounded Particles of ZSM-5 Zeolite and Cerium Oxides Using Powder Composer

Abstract

Zeolites, crystalline porous aluminosilicates, are widely used as solid catalysts in various petroleum and petrochemical processes. Cerium oxide, CeO₂, is much useful catalyst for numerous organic reactions and environmental catalytic reactions due to its Lewis acid-base and redox properties. Therefore, mechanochemical preparation of compounded particles of micro-sized ZSM-5 zeolite and CeO₂ nanoparticles was investigated in this research. During the mechanochemical treatment by using a powder composer, the crystallinity of ZSM-5 zeolite was almost retained. Bead-milling treatment of CeO₂ agglomerates can be changed into highly dispersed CeO₂ nanoparticles, and the following mechanochemical treatment with ZSM-5 can successfully give the compounded particles. The compounded particles showed the catalytic activity originating from ZSM-5 zeolite to promote the catalytic cracking reactions of various hydrocarbons.