Doan, T., Dang, T. A., Nguyen, T. H. A., Ha, Q. L. M., Phan, T. T. N., Pham, T. H., & Vuong, T. H. (2026). Tuning SAPO‑11/34 Composite via SAPO‑34 Seeding for Enhanced Ni‑Catalyzed n‑Hexane Isomerization. Catalysis Surveys from Asia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10563-026-09497-2
Abstract:
Combining different molecular sieves can exploit the strengths of each material while minimizing their limitations in catalytic applications. In this study, we developed composite supports of SAPO-11 and SAPO-34 to improve the hydroisomerization performance of linear alkanes. SAPO-34 nanoparticles were introduced as seeds into the SAPO-11 synthesis gel, promoting the formation of well-integrated SAPO-11/34 composite molecular sieves. By varying the amount of SAPO-34 seed added, the relative proportions of SAPO-34 to SAPO-11 in the composite could be precisely controlled. These composites were thoroughly characterized using XRD, SEM, N₂ adsorption–desorption analysis, ICP-OES, TGA, NH₃-TPD, FT–IR pyridine spectroscopy, TEM, and XPS. The results confirmed that SAPO-11 and SAPO-34 crystallites were densely integrated within the composite structure, and that the materials exhibited specific surface areas and acid site densities comparable to those of the individual SAPO-11 and SAPO-34. Increasing the amount of SAPO-34 resulted in a higher concentration of strong acid sites and an enlarged specific surface area. Moreover, TEM imaging confirmed that Ni nanoparticles were finely and uniformly dispersed across the composite supports, while XPS analyses revealed a progressive strengthening of the Ni-support interaction with the addition of SAPO-34 seed. We used these composite zeolites as supports for preparing Ni@SAPO-11/34 bifunctional catalysts, which were then tested for the hydroisomerization of n-hexane. As anticipated, these catalysts delivered enhanced conversion and isomerization yields, owing to the optimized pore structure and balanced surface acidity of the composites as well as Ni interaction with the support.
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Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) - Manufacturing, Trade, and Connectivity Young Individual Research Grant
Grant Reference no. : H24-MRG0511 / (old) M24N8C0109
This research / project is supported by the The RoHan Project - German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Grant Reference no. : 57315854 and 57560571
This research / project is supported by the SDG Bilateral Graduate School Programme. - Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Grant Reference no. : NA
Description:
This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Catalysis Surveys from Asia. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10563-026-09497-2.