Abstract: Hβ zeolites were modified with different concentrations of sodium hydroxide solution and characterized by XRD, XRF, NH₃-TPD, SEM, N₂ adsorption-desorption and other techniques,and used as catalyst in the alkylation reaction of benzene and ethylene. Compared with the original Hβ zeolite, the modified Hβ zeolites showed higher catalytic activity, which was mainly due to the removal of the amorphous particles on the surface of the modified Hβ crystals and the enhancement of the diffusion effect of reactants and products. Even though the structure of zeolite collapsed due to the high concentration of alkali solution, the obtained alkali-treated zeolite still showed good catalytic selectivity. The Hβ zeolite treated in 0.08 mol/L NaOH solution at 60 ℃ for 60 min had the highest catalytic performance, with the ethylene conversion rate of 87.29% and the ethylbenzene selectivity of 91.67%.

Key words: Hβ zeolite, alkali-treatment, alkylation, ethylbenzene, ethylene