dr. Jörg Fischer
Zeolite-based catalysts play a crucial role in decarbonization of the chemical industry by enabling the efficient utilization of renewable feedstock such as biomass and plastic waste, as well as methanol. However, zeolite catalysts deteriorate and lose activity due to the formation of carbon deposits inside the pores and on the surface of the zeolite crystal. These deposits, also referred to as “coke” appear in different forms and amounts, depending on the reaction conditions, feedstocks, and zeolites. In this project, we aim to gain crucial insights into the mechanism of coke removal by performing operando regeneration experiments of catalysts used in the methanol-to-hydrocarbon (MTH) process to assess not only the efficiency but also the resulting activity and selectivity of the regenerated catalysts. We apply Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), spectroscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy in combination with a recently developed Raman methodology to trace carbon species in time and space. Ultimately, we want to develop suitable regeneration schemes that will enhance the feasibility of utilizing alternative carbon feedstocks.