METHANE ACTIVATION WITHOUT USING OXIDANTS OVER SUPPORTED MO CATALYSTS

The catalytic properties of Mo/HSAPO-34, Mo/H-ZSM-5 and Mo/HY catalyst s for methane conversion without using oxidants were compared. Mo/H-ZS M-5 catalyst has the best performance in terms of catalytic activity a nd stability. This catalyst is very selective for benzene production a nd the benzene yield is the highest of the three catalysts studied. Th e catalytic activity and benzene selectivity over the Mo/HSAPO-34 cata lyst, however, decreased with increasing time on stream. As the cataly st deactivated, the selectivity to ethene increased. The Mo/HY catalys t is active for methane conversion but rapid deactivation of the catal yst resulted in negligible product yield. These results are discussed in terms of the shape-selectivity effect of the support taking into co nsideration the high reaction temperature. Preliminary studies on alka li metal doped Mo/HSAPO-34 catalysts showed no observed effect on cata lyst deactivation.