ZSM-5 zeolites, Ga modified via different
methods (in situ hydrothermal
synthesis, mechanical mixing, incipient wetness impregnation, solid-state
ion exchange, and liquid phase ion exchange), were systematically
investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS), 29Si, 27Al, and 71Ga magic-angle
spinning (MAS) NMR, and H2 temperature-programmed reduction
(H2-TPR). It is important to prove that both impregnation
and liquid phase ion exchange could facilitate the incorporation of
Ga species into the framework in addition to in situ hydrothermal
synthesis. The liquid phase ion exchange method drove part of the
Ga species into the framework, and it was further migrated into the
framework by drying, while the incipient wetness impregnation method
promoted part of the Ga species into the framework only during the
calcination process. In the n-heptane catalytic aromatization
procedure on the fixed bed, Ga modified ZSM-5 by in situ hydrothermal
synthesis showed the highest benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene
(BTEX) selectivity, owing to the increased strong Lewis acidic sites
and mesopore volumes induced by the framework Ga species.