Probing the dynamics of methanol in copper-loaded zeolites via quasi-elastic and inelastic neutron scattering

Abstract

The dynamics of methanol within prototype methanol synthesis catalysts were studied using quasi-elastic neutron scattering. Three Cu-exchanged zeolites (mordenite, SSZ-13 and ZSM-5) were studied after methanol loading and showed jump diffusion coefficients between 1.04 × 10⁻¹⁰ and 2.59 × 10⁻¹⁰ m²·s^–1. Non-Arrhenius behavior was observed with varying temperature due to methoxy formation at Brønsted acid sites and methanol clustering around copper cations.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

quasielastic neutron scattering / inelastic neutron scattering / methanol / diffusion / zeolites

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