Tailoring ZSM-5 zeolite through metal incorporation: Toward enhanced light olefins production via catalytic cracking: A minireview

The steam cracking of hydrocarbons has been the major process for light olefins production in recent decades. Recent studies have shown that a considerable amount of propylene and ethylene can be produced by hydrocarbon cracking on modified ZSM-5 zeolite. Various modified elements and post-treatment methods have been employed to fulfil the improvement of the catalytic performance over ZSM-5 zeolite. This article focuses on the research progress about the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons over metal-incorporated ZSM-5 zeolite. The mechanism of propylene and ethylene production via catalytic cracking of various hydrocarbons over ZSM-5 zeolite is summarized and the influences of different metal species, such as alkaline earth and alkali metal elements, rare earth metal elements, transition metals, etc. on both activity and stability are also discussed. Moreover, the synergistic influence of bimetallic components is mentioned as well. In particular, the effects of different synthetic methods and structures of metal species are discussed. We hope that this review will kindle the future rational design of metal-incorporated zeolite catalysts to realize efficient catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons for light olefins production.