ZSM-5/γ-Al2O3 Catalysts for Methanol Dehydration: Tuning Pore Structure by Carbon Nanotubes as a Pore-Forming Agent

ZSM-5/gamma-Al2O3 composites are synthesized using multiwall carbon nanotubes as a pore-forming agent. The as-prepared composites are characterized by nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, TEM, SEM, FT-IR spectroscopy, and pyridine adsorption. The as-prepared composites exhibit significantly different physicochemical properties depending on the synthesis technique. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared composites toward methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether is investigated. The as-prepared composites demonstrate the methanol conversion close to the equilibrium one with 100% selectivity toward dimethyl ether. The kinetic parameters of the process are measured highlighting the effect of the textural and acidic properties of the composites on their catalytic performance.