ZSM-8 zeolite is a medium-pore (pore size = 0.6 nm) high-silica zeolite, belonging to a pentad family of zeolites, introduced by Mobil Oil Corporation in 1971. The X-ray diffraction spectrum of ZSM-8 is somewhat similar to that of ZSM-5, which is a very widely investigated zeolite, except for a splitting in the highest peak in the region 28 = 22-25O observed for ZSM-8 (Lechert, 1984). Earlier studies (Akolekar and Choudhary, 1987) have indicated that the influence of degree of Hi -exchange and calcination temperature on strong acid sites and catalytic activity and paraselectivity (in hydrocarbon conversion and alcohol-to-aromatics conversion reactions) of ZSM-8 are quite similar to those observed for ZSM-5. For ZSM-8, however, the number of strong sites per framework A1 (Choudhary and Akolekar, 1989) and the rate of catalyst deactivation due to deposition of large hydrocarbon molecules in zeolite channels (Akolekar and Choudhary, 1987;Akolekar, 1987) are found to be higher. Also the diffusion of cyclohexane (Chon et al., 1985) in H-ZSM-8 is found to be faster.Extensive studies have been reported on ZSM-5-type zeolites for the sorption/diffusion properties (Ruthven, 1984; Choudhary and Srinivasan, 1986a, b) and also on the zeolite modified with MgO, P,O,, and B,O, (Kaeding and Butter, 1980;Kaeding et al., 1984;Mamman, 1988). For ZSM-5, intracrystalline species like MgO can produce a two order of magnitude change in diffusivity and also significant changes in catalytic properties (Olson and Haag, 1984).No detailed investigation on the diffusion in ZSM-8 and modified ZSM-8 zeolites has been reported so far. The present investigation was undertaken with the objective of studying the influence of cations ( H + or N a + ) and modification by MgO, P,O,, and B,O, on the diffusion in ZSM-8-type zeolite, using a model sorbate (viz., Cumene).Correapndcncc concerning this paper should be addrcsd to V. R. Choudhary.
Experimental StudiesThe preparation and characterization of H-ZSM-8 and H . N a -Z S M -8 zeolites (Si/AI = 29.6 and crystal size = 3.5pm) have been described earlier (Akolekar and Choudhary, 1987). The degrees of H+-exchange of the H-ZSM-8 and H . Na-ZSM-8 zeolites were 0.96 and 0.08, respectively. The magnesium, phosphorous and boron modified H-ZSM-8 zeolites have been prepared by contacting the H-ZSM-8 zeolite with aqueous solutions of magnesium acetate, ortho-phosphoric acid, and boric acid (all BDH AnalaR), respectively, at room temperature for two weeks while shaking the flask containing the zeolite and the solution occasionally. The zeolite was then filtered using a Gooch crucible and washed quickly to remove the material impregnated on the external surface of the zeolite crystals. The zeolite was then dried in a vacuum oven at 373 K for 12 h, calcined in air at 773 K for 12 h and analyzed for its magnesium, phosphorous or boron content by atomic absorption spectroscopy or spectrophotometry. All the zeolites were pressed (without any binder) and crushed into particles of about 0.2 mm size. This has not cau...