Synergetic modulation of bifunctional Ni-loaded micro-mesoporous HZSM-5/MCM-41 for catalytic cracking of n-butane

Butane, mainly derived from catalytic cracking in petroleum processing, has a low chemical utilization. Catalytic cracking of butane can improve the efficiency of butane utilization by producing ethylene and propylene. Herein, the bifunctional Ni-loaded HZSM-5/MCM-41 catalysts, which had dehydrogenation-cracking synergism and micro-mesoporous structure, were synthesized by the alkaline treatment of HZSM-5 and incipient wetness impregnation method. The structural and chemical characteristics of the Ni-HZSM-5/MCM-41 were systematically investigated. The catalytic performance of n-butane cracking was evaluated. The synergistic modulation of acid property regulation, micro-mesoporous regulation, and the introduction of Ni enhanced the performance of n-butane cracking. Compared with pure HZSM-5, the Ni-HZSM-5/MCM-41 had appropriate surface acid strength and acidic site distribution. The micro-mesoporous composite structure enhanced the resistance to carbon accumulation, the activation and dehydrogenation performance of alkanes with low temperatures, and the selectivity of light olefins. A reaction pathway was put forward for the catalytic cracking of n-butane on NiHZSM-5/MCM-41.