Method for the Synthesis of Nanocrystalline ZSM-5 Zeolites with Controlled Particle Size and Mesoporosity
- Detailed Technology Description
- Inventor: Sarah C. LarsenAssociate Professor, Department of ChemistryAssociate Director of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institutehttp://ccs14.chem.uiowa.edu/faculty/larsen/group/group.html
- *Abstract
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Background
Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates that have a unique cage-like structure with pores of molecular dimensions. Such characteristics make zeolite very useful in a variety of chemical processes, such as separations, catalysis, ion exchange, and adsorption that are common in industries like pharmaceutical and petrochemical processing. Nearly 100% yield has been reported for conventional micron-sized zeolites synthesis. However, typical product yields for nanocrystalline zeolites are less than 10%, mainly because conventional synthesis methods involve terminating the reaction while zeolite crystals are in the nanometer range to prevent further growth. The remaining synthesis solution is usually discarded after recovering the zeolite crystals, although it may contain valuable chemicals that can facilitate further growth of nanocrystalline zeolites.
Technology
Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a one-step method for the production of nanocrystalline ZSM-5 zeolite from a single template reaction mixture. Studies have demonstrated that the size of individual crystals from approximately 40 nm to as low as 6 nm. The inventors were able to determine the crystal size and degree of mesoporosity through variation in the temperature, hydrothermal treatment duration and the pH of the reaction mixture. For example, the smallest crystals were synthesized at a relatively low temperature of 140 degree Celsius and short hydrothermal treatment times with very good yields. The ability to control these attributes is important because different ZSM-5 attributes are utilized in different industrial applications. In addition to the ability to control the physical attributes of the ZSM-5 product, the researchers also noted an increase in product as well as production cost savings, due to the single template protocol.
Advantages
SINGLE TEMPLATE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. This simplified process utilizes only a single template, producing zeolites that with lower contamination risk at a lower cost. Mesoporosity is also achieved without use of a secondary template with this technique.
CONTROLLED MESOPOROSITY. Variation in one or more of the reaction parameters allows the user to control the mesoporosity of the nanocrystalline zeolites: temperature, hydrothermal treatment duration, or pH. This allows users to produce zeolites tailor-made for their desired application.
INCREASED YIELD. This process has demonstrated consistently higher yields of zeolite product, effectively reducing cost of zeolite production.
Patent Link
UIRF has filed a patent for this technology (13/193,180).
- *Licensing
- Sean KimSenior Licensing AssociateUniversity of Iowa Research FoundationPh: 319-335-4607hyeon-kim@uiowa.edu
- Country/Region
- USA
