University of Iowa Research Foundation

Sarah Larsen

Vicki Grassian

Gonghu Li

Weiguo Song

Anton Petushkov

A one step synthesis of nanocrystalline zeolites ZSM-5 and Na&#x3b2; from a single template system in high yield has been discovered. The size of individual nanocrystals, as well as mesopore surface area and pore volume can be controlled by adjusting the pH of the reaction mixture, as well as the hydrothermal treatment temperature and duration. The mesopore volume and size distribution show a dependence on particle size such that smaller particles lead to higher mesopore volumes and narrower pore size distributions.

Synthesis of hierarchical nanocrystalline zeolites with controlled particle size and mesoporosity

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for synthesizing nanocrystalline zeolites, the method comprising contacting starting products that comprise a solvent, a silicon source, a cation base, an organic template, and an aluminum source, or any combination thereof sufficient to produce a zeolite gel by hydrolysis, heating the zeolite gel sufficient to produce a first batch of zeolite crystals and a first clear solution, separating the first batch of zeolite crystals from the first clear solution, heating the first clear solution sufficient to produce a second batch of zeolite crystals and second clear solution and separating the second batch of zeolite crystals from the second clear solution. In addition, embodiments relate to a method of using nanocrystalline zeolites, the method comprising contacting a nanocrystalline zeolite with a reductant sufficient to produce a nanocrystalline zeolite with adsorbed reductant and exposing the nanocrystalline zeolite with adsorbed reductant to reactant gases sufficient to obtain reaction products and the nanocrystalline zeolite.

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Iowa City, IA, United States of America

Sarah Larsen