Strategy to design zeolite catalysts in the presence of biomass

LTA, GIS, *BEA and MFI zeolites have been successfully prepared using sugar cane bagasse as a hard templating agent as well as after alkaline hydrolysis of those biomass residues. Depending on the zeolite topology chosen, different effects could be highlighted: susceptibility to crystal intergrowths (LTA), formation of macroporous micron-sized assemblies (GIS), or significant impact on MFI crystal morphologies. The LTA zeolite series was used in ammonia ionic exchange experiments. A definite enhancement in the total NH4+-adsorption capacity could be evidenced for a biomass hydrolysate structured sample. In the case of MFI zeolites, different catalytic activities and stabilities were achieved in the methanol conversion into hydrocarbons. Likewise, drastic changes were observed in the selectivities, ranging from an expected methanol-to-olefins (MTO) behaviour for highly siliceous zeolites, to a close to 90% selectivity toward C5+ gasoline fraction (MTG) for counterparts with low Si/Al-ratios. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.