Eco‐designed ZSM‐5 Zeolites: From Si/Al Optimization to Mono‐ and Bifunctional Model Reactions Evaluation

Biomass‐assisted synthesis was applied to ZSM‐5 zeolites with Si/Al ratios ranging from 14 to 69, using lignin and lignin–sugarcane bagasse as co‐templates. Biomass addition enhanced yield, crystallinity, and Al incorporation, while reducing crystal size and silanol defects density, consistent with a confined crystal growth. Catalytic tests revealed composition‐ and reaction‐specific effects: Al‐rich samples demonstrated higher activity in n‐hexane cracking and superior performance in methane dehydroaromatization upon Mo loading, whereas Al‐poor and biomass‐modified zeolites exhibited longer lifetimes in the methanol‐to‐olefins (MTO) reaction. These findings demonstrate that biomass‐mediated synthesis offers a versatile route to tailor ZSM‐5 zeolite properties for diverse catalytic applications.