Aromatization of propane over Zn/HZSM-5 catalysts prepared by chemical vapor deposition

Zinc was introduced into HZSM-5 by chemical Vapor deposition (CVD) to investigate the catalytic properties of Zn/HZSM-5 for propane conversion. Irrespective of catalytic precursor or ion exchange method, protons were found to be replaced by Zn ions. However, Zn species in the zeolite were different depending on the precursors used. Although the addition of Zn decreased the intensity of the Bronsted acidity, it did not caused the apparent formation of Lewis acid sites unlike Ga/HZSM-5 catalysts. On Zn/HZSM-5, both Zn and protons intervene in propane activation step.