CH conversion over Ni/HZSM-5 catalyst in the absence of oxygen: decomposition or dehydroaromatization?

The different chemical states and locations of Ni species in HZSM-5 result in different directions of CH reaction. Supported Ni clusters caused complete CH decomposition, while Ni-exchanged sites anchored at Brønsted acid sites, can appropriately activate CH into CH species which are important precursors to produce aromatics. This study suggests a catalyst construction strategy for selective conversion of CH towards value-added chemicals by placing active metal at specific sites.