A ZSM-5/MCM-48 based catalyst for methanol to gasoline conversion

A ZSM-5/MCM-48 aluminosilicate composite material as a catalyst for methanol to gasoline conversion was synthesised using a simple two step crystallisation process. The textural and structural properties of the composite were characterized using N2-adsoption, XRD, SEM and HRTEM techniques. It was revealed that the ZSM-5 phase was inter-connected with the meso-structured MCM-48 phase. The ZSM-5/MCM-48 composite catalyst was shown to possess high activity and stability with low formation of aromatic hydrocarbons in methanol to gasoline (MTG) conversion. The high activity and stability of the novel ZSM-5/MCM-48 composite were attributed to the enhanced the mass transfer properties and reduced diffusion limitations due to the widened pore size distribution and lowered pore surface acidity of the composite material.