Selective Conversion of Syngas to Aromatics over a Mo-ZrO2/H-ZSM-5 Bifunctional Catalyst

Direct conversion of syngas to aromatics is an extremely challenging target due to the complex reaction pathways. Herein, we present a well-designed bifunctional catalyst composed of Mo-doped ZrO2 nanoparticles and zeolite H-ZSM-5 for one-step conversion of syngas to aromatics. The Mo-ZrO(2 )converts syngas to methanol as reaction intermediate, which can be successively converted to aromatics by H-ZSM-5. Hydrogenation ability of mixed oxides is pivotal to both selectivity and productivity of aromatics. We intensively clarify the individual role of catalyst components among CO activation, H-2 activation and aromatization. With a Mo/Zr molar ratio of 1:68, the Mo - ZrO2/H-ZSM-5 resulted in 76% selectivity of aromatics at 22% CO conversion, and the productivity of aromatics reached 0.17 g g(cat)(-1)h(-1) at 400 degrees C and 4 MPa. Moreover, the distribution of aromatics can be tuned by surface modification of H-ZSM-5.