Hollow TS-1 mesocrystals: hydrothermal construction and high catalytic performances in cyclohexanone ammoximation

In this article, solid and hollow TS-1 mesocrystals (HTMs) with hierarchical porous structures were constructed through assembling TS-1 nanocrystalline blocks in a hydrothermal post-treatment method. TS-1 nanocrystalline blocks including the organic templating reagent provided solid TS-1 mesocrystals. Pre-removal of the template offered HTMs. In cyclohexanone ammoximation, the catalytic activity of HTMs depended significantly on their hollow mesocrystalline structure. Compared to solid TS-1 mesocrystals, HTMs showed excellent catalytic performances for cyclohexanone conversion with oxime selectivity up to 100%. The hollow mesocrystalline structures of TS-1 contributed to high surface areas, hierarchical porosities, robust structures, and corresponding catalytic performances.