Ni/HZSM-5 catalysts with γ-alumina were prepared by the sol–gel method. At first, reaction performances were investigated over the HZSM-5 catalysts with and without γ-alumina. Then, reaction evaluations were conducted over the Ni/HZSM (different loading amounts of nickel species were investigated) catalysts with and without γ-alumina. The addition of nickel species and γ-alumina increased the total acidity of the catalysts. Furthermore, the introduction of γ-alumina increased the amount of mesopores in the catalysts. Nickel species were much more stable with the presence of γ-alumina. Both nickel species and γ-alumina contributed the aromatization of methanol.
Graphical Abstract