Comparison of dealumination of zeolites beta, mordenite and ZSM-5 by treatment with acid under microwave irradiation

Commercial mordenite, beta and ZSM-5 zeolites were partially dealuminated in HCl medium in autoclave by conventional heating or under microwave irradiation at 373 K for 15 min. The extent of dealumination was function of the zeolite structure (beta > mordenite > ZSM-5), and the heating method used. Microwaves led to faster dealumination than conventional heating for the three zeolites. Besides, the use of microwaves affected the surface and acidic properties of the resulting dealuminated samples. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.