Rapid hydrothermal synthesis of hierarchical ZSM-5/beta composite zeolites

An innovative hydrothermal method has been successfully applied to the synthesis of hierarchical ZSM-5/beta composite zeolites with different mass ratios. Firstly, the ZSM-5 zeolites were coated with amorphous silica and aluminum species by a spray drying process. Then, the precursor powder was hydrothermally crystallized for only 1-2 days with the addition of tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide (TEAOH). The obtained products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, N₂ physical adsorption-desorption, ²⁷Al MAS NMR, ICP, pyridine-IR and NH₃-TPD techniques. The characterization results imply that the ZSM-5/beta composite zeolites exhibit hierarchical-pores, higher external surface areas and larger mesopore volumes as compared to those of the pure ZSM-5 and beta zeolite. Moreover, the pore structure and acid sites of the ZSM-5/beta composite can be adjusted by changing the mass ratio of ZSM-5/beta. Finally, the ZSM-5/beta composite catalysts exhibit good catalytic performances in the cracking of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene (1,3,5-TIPB).