Influence of extra-framework Al in Fe-MOR catalysts for the direct conversion of methane to oxygenates by nitrous oxide

Iron-containing zeolites play an important role in the selective oxidation of methane to oxygenates by nitrous oxide.A solid-state ion exchange method is adopted to prepare Fe-MOR zeolite catalysts with different amounts of extra-framework Al.EPR spectra and UV-vis spectra show that the percentage of iron ions in tetrahedral or octahedral coordination increases while those of clustered Fe species decrease by the addition of extra-framework Al species.Nitrous oxide titration reveals that more active Fe centers are formed,which promote the nitrous oxide consumption.The number of active centers in the catalyst with the introduction of extra-framework Al is about four times that of the catalyst without the addition of extra-framework Al.Due to this,there is an increase in the methane conversion,total selectivity and yield of oxygenates.