The application of INS to investigate the toluene disproportionation reaction of modified ZSM-5 catalysts - TOSCA

A soon-to-finish Ph.D. project used neutron scattering techniques to investigate a series of modified ZSM-5 catalysts to support the isomerisation of meta-xylene to produce para-xylene. A new Masters by Research project will commence in Easter 2025 to extend these studies to investigate the same catalyst suite for their applicability to the toluene disproportionation reaction, a valuable step within petrochemical refining operations. Vibrational inspection of adsorbate modes by infrared spectroscopy is hindered due to the zeolite’s strong absorption below 2000 cm-1. However, INS provides the means to access the vibrational spectrum in the range 20-4000 cm-1, enabling speciation of retained hydrocarbons. This information is critical to the development of reaction mechanisms over these high specification industrial grade catalysts. This TOSCA application is linked to an associated MAPS proposal.

一项即将结题的博士项目采用中子散射技术，对一系列改性ZSM-5催化剂开展研究，以支撑间二甲苯异构化制备对二甲苯的反应。
一项全新的研究型硕士项目将于2025年复活季启动，将延续前述研究，针对这套相同的催化剂，考察其在甲苯歧化反应中的应用可行性——甲苯歧化反应是石油化工炼制流程中的关键步骤之一。
由于沸石在2000 cm⁻¹以下具有强吸收特性，红外光谱法难以对吸附物种的振动模式进行表征。而非弹性中子散射（Inelastic Neutron Scattering，INS）则可实现20~4000 cm⁻¹区间内的振动光谱采集，从而完成滞留烃类的物种鉴定。
该信息对于阐明这类高规格工业级催化剂上的反应机理至关重要。
此项依托TOSCA谱仪的实验申请，与一项配套的MAPS谱仪实验提案相关联。