A series of HZSM-5 catalysts modified with various loadings
of
aluminum fluoride (AlF3) were prepared from a mechanical
mixture route. Combined characterizations of X-ray diffraction, Fourier
transform infrared (FT-IR), 27Al, 29Si, 19F MAS NMR, N2 sorption, and NH3-tempeature-programmed
desorption (NH3-TPD) techniques show that the structure,
texture, and acidity of HZSM-5 catalysts can be adjusted with the
loading of AlF3. A suitable amount of AlF3 modification
(2 wt %) could increase the framework aluminum content and the surface
area of HZSM-5. However, when the loading of AlF3 came
to 3 wt % or more, the contrary results were obtained, which could
be ascribed to the dealumination of the zeolitic framework. The catalytic
activities for dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether (DME) show
that suitable amount of AlF3-modified HZSM-5 exhibited
much higher activity and better stability than parent HZSM-5. The
combination of “tunable” synthesis and “superior”
properties is very much valuable in the academic and industry.