Microwave-assisted synthesis of plate-like SAPO-34 nanocrystals with increased catalyst lifetime in the methanol-to-olefin reaction

Abstract

Nanocrystalline SAPO-34 catalysts were obtained using microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. Compared to conventional heating, the use of microwave irradiation shortened the crystallization time from days to several hours, resulted in a lower level of silicon incorporation, which led to slightly lower acidity, and modified the crystal size and morphology. The SAPO-34 catalyst synthesized in a microwave oven exhibited a longer lifetime in the methanol-to-olefin reaction due to its thin plate-like crystal morphology, which facilitates accessibility of the reactant to the acid sites.