Operando X-Ray Study to Unravel the Structure-Performance Relationships of W/ZSM-5 in Methane Dehydroaromatization

Mo/ZSM-5 has been widely studied in literature for methane dehydroaromatization. However, the Mo/ZSM-5 catalyst deactivates quickly due to surface coke formation and the formation of MoCx particles during the reaction. Alternative transition metals such as W, V, Cr, and Fe that have been proven their ability to convert methane into aromatics are being studied to gain a better understanding of their function. In this study, we want to establish structure-performance relationships of W/ZSM-5 during the MDA process. This catalyst can achieve similar benzene yields as Mo/ZSM-5, but there is a knowledge gap on the structural evolution of W/ZSM-5 during both the activation of the catalyst and the reaction itself. This operando HERFD XANES/XES study will yield essential information on the evolution of the W sites under reaction conditions. Combining these results with online catalytic performance measurements will gain new insights in the field of methane conversion into valuable compounds.