Tunable hybrid zeolites prepared by partial interconversion

Hybrid zeolites, which are materials made of building units from various zeolites, have been prepared by partial interzeolite transformation. The relative proportion of the various zeolites can be conveniently tuned to optimize their catalytic performance simply by interrupting the interconversion at different times. Zeolite interconversion is a widely used strategy due to its unique advantages in the synthesis of some zeolites. By using a long-chain quaternary amine as both a structure-directing agent and porogen, we have produced superior catalysts, which we named Hybrid Zeolites, as their structures are made of building units of different zeolite types. The properties of these materials can be conveniently tuned, and their catalytic performance can be optimized simply by stopping the interconversion at different times. For cracking the 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene, Hybrid Zeolites made of FAU and MFI units show a 5-fold increase in selectivity towards the desired product, that is, 1,3-diisopropylbenzene, compared to the commercial FAU, and a 7-fold increase in conversion at constant selectivity compared to MFI zeolite.

Automated summary

Hybrid zeolites with optimized catalytic performance can be conveniently prepared by interrupting the interconversion of different zeolite types at different times. These materials, named Hybrid Zeolites, show significantly improved selectivity and conversion compared to commercial zeolites FAU and MFI.