Synthesis of hierarchical SAPO-34 to improve the catalytic performance of bifunctional catalysts for syngas-to-olefins reactions

•Hierarchical SAPO-34 zeolites with adjustable acidity were synthesized.•Lower olefins were obtained over ZnOZrO2/SAPO-34 with selectivity of 80%.•The mild acidity of SAPO-34 suppresses the hydrogenation of olefins to paraffins.•The hierarchical structure prevents the formation of polyaromatics under hydrogen.