MFI vs. FER zeolite during methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether: The crystal size plays a key role

FER-type zeolite was recently recognized as good catalyst for DME synthesis via methanol dehydration or one-pot CO2 hydrogenation, in terms of DME selectivity, stability and coke formation. In this research, we investigated the role of crystal size of both FER- and MFI-type zeolites on catalysis of methanol dehydration to DME reaction. The results show that FER-type zeolites, both micro- and nano-sized, exhibit better performances than micro-sized MFI-type zeolite. On the contrary, the application of nano-sized MFI allows to obtain a DME selectivity similar to FER, but with higher DME production rate and a lower coke deposition.