Aromatization of methane on Mo modified zeolites: Influence of the surface and structural properties of the carriers

Aromatization of methane on MoZSM-5 and MoMCM-22 catalyst having comparable Mo content and Si/Al was investigated. Deep bed treatment (MoZSM-5/1DB), low resistance towards coking (MoMCM-22) and a nanoscale particle size (MoZSM-5/2) are not advantageous for catalyst performance. Microscale MoZSM-5/1 shows significantly higher activity indicating an importance to optimize the external surface of ZSM-5 for minimizing the localization of Mo outside the channels.