Framework stabilization of Ge-rich zeolites via postsynthesis alumination

The use of organic structure directing agents in zeolite syntheses has dramatically extended the number of zeolite structure types during the past decades. However, for about 20% of all known zeolite structure types, the necessary postsynthesis elimination of organic templates by high-temperature combustion leads to structure collapse, where the particularly strongly affected are Ge-rich zeolites. Here, we present a treatment approach that leads to zeolite structure stabilization by postsynthetic isomorphous substitution of Al for Ge. An important advantage of this new method is that no preliminary elimination of the organic structure directing agent from zeolite pores is required; thus it can be applied to microporous materials that cannot withstand the high temperature combustion of organic templates. The experimental data unambiguously show that besides framework stabilization the postsynthesis treatment facilitates incorporation of active sites in the zeolite framework. The feasibility of this new approach is corroborated by alumination of a BEC-type material. The presented method is expected to broaden the practical utilization of many microporous materials by improving their thermal stability.