Ammonia IRMS-TPD measurements on Brønsted acidity of proton-formed SAPO-34.

By utilizing the advantages of a combined method of IRMS-TPD of ammonia and DFT calculations, the solid acidity of HSAPO-34 was studied. The number, strength and structure of the Brønsted OH were measured experimentally. The quantitative measurements and DFT calculations supported the identification of Brønsted OH to account for the generation model of the Brønsted OH primarily located in the edge of the Si domain (island). The acid strength of SAPO-34 was slightly weaker than that of chabazite, a zeolite with the same structure. Thus, some important insights were obtained to understand the acid site generation of SAPO-34.