Atomic insights into the vanadium-resistance mechanism in Y-zeolite catalysts reinforced with lanthanum-based components

Abstract In fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes, vanadium is a primary harmful feedstock contaminant that deactivates catalysts by forming vanadate species which corrode the zeolite framework and damage catalyst structure. Introducing vanadium capture agents is an effective way to enhance the catalytic performance, but the mechanism of the interaction has not yet been fully understood. This study demonstrates that lanthanum-based additives significantly improve vanadium resistance in FCC catalysts. Under severe contamination (6000 ppm V), La-modified catalysts exhibited 5.81% higher conversion and 0.49% lower coke yield compared to conventional catalysts. Advanced scanning transmission electron microscopy characterization revealed that La components chemically trap vanadium through α-LaVO₄ formation, effectively protecting the Y-zeolite framework from structural damage. The research provides both fundamental insights into the La-V interaction mechanism and practical guidance for developing high-performance FCC catalysts for processing heavy-metal-contaminated feedstocks. By combining macro-scale catalytic evaluation with atomic-scale characterization, this work establishes a robust approach for FCC catalyst optimization.