Facile synthesis of nano-sized hollow ZSM-5 zeolites with rich mesopores in shell

A hollow nano-ZSM-5 zeolites with mesoporous shell was successfully synthesized by a two-step alkaline treatment method. Firstly, nano-ZSM-5 zeolite was alkali treated with NaOH solution to dissolve internal silica of crystals and then the hollow structure was formed. After that, obvious mesopores were introduced in the shell of the hollow zeolites by a NaOH&TPAOH leaching based on the protective desilication. As a result, the external surface area was increased from 98 to 203 m(2)g(-1), more than twice that of the untreated nano-ZSM-5. The thin shell and rich mesopores would improve its catalytic performance in many diffusion-limited reactions. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.