Effects of zeolite frameworks and hierarchical structures on catalytic bioethanol dehydration: In-situ DRIFTS and DFT studies

•The effects of different frameworks and hierarchical structures on catalytic mechanisms of bioethanol dehydration were investigated.•The FER is highly selective to ethylene due to its confined porous structure to suppress by-products.•The incorporation of hierarchical structures into the FER also improves the catalyst stability in bioethanol dehydration.•Importantly, the hierarchical FER promotes the monomer mechanistic pathway for ethylene production due to the facile desorption of corresponding intermediates and desired products.