Radical-constructed intergrown titanosilicalite interfaces for efficient direct propene epoxidation with H₂ and O₂

The development of titianosilicates is considered a major milestone in oxidative catalysis due to the ability of framework Ti sites to co-ordinate hydrogen peroxide/peroxy species. Herein, we demonstrate that interfacial Ti sites can be constructed through the vertical intergrowth of two MFI-type zeolite surfaces along [100] and [010] projections, with the assistance of UV-induced hydroxyl radicals. The application of these intergrown titanosilicalites as supports for Au species are observed to simultaneously offer a 2.1-fold and 3.0-fold increase in propene oxide (PO) formation rate and Au efficiency, respectively, when compared to standard Au/TS-1 catalysts. Mechanistic studies reveal that the intergrown interface Ti sites allow for lower-energy epoxidation pathways with more efficient activation of key oxygen-transfer intermediates. These results provide insights into the development of zeolite intergrown interface sites (e.g., titanosilicalite/silicalite-1/ZSM-5) and may allow for further advancements in the epoxidation of a range of key feedstocks.