Characterization of FeMCM-41 and FeZSM-5 catalysts to styrene production

Abstract

FeMCM-41 and FeZSM-5 catalysts have been prepared and tested in the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to produce styrene. These new catalytic systems have high specific areas and can stabilize the trivalent state of iron. It was found that the FeZSM-5 catalysts are more active and selective than the FeMCM-41 ones and this behavior is explained in terms of the higher amount of the active oxidation state (Fe 3+) on the catalyst surface. These catalysts also result more active and selective than Fe203 (hematite) and are less toxic than the chromium-containing commercial catalysts used for this purpose.