The effect of H2O/SiO2 ratio in precursor solution on the crystal size and morphology of zeolite ZSM-5

• Published in: Microporous and mesoporous materials 2017-05, Vol.244, p.93-100
• Main Authors: Sashkina, Kseniya A., Qi, Zhiye, Wu, Wei, Ayupov, Artem B., Lysikov, Anton I., Parkhomchuk, Ekaterina V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggregate-like hollow crystals; Crystal size/morphology control; ZSM-5
• ISSN: 1387-1811; 1873-3093
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2017.02.060

A series of zeolites ZSM-5 has been synthesized in hydrothermal conditions under various ratios of H2O/SiO2 ranging from 10 to 300. Materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption measurements, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia. The effect of H2O/SiO2 ratio in precursor solution on ZSM-5 product yield, crystallinity, crystal size, crystal size distribution, morphology, texture and acidity has been studied. The increase of H2O/SiO2 ratio in precursor solution from 10 to 300 results in decreasing the average crystal size from 1250 to 180 nm, the higher H2O/SiO2 ratio, the wider crystal size distribution. Aggregate-like mesoporous/hollow ellipsoid crystals and smooth pill-shaped crystals have been produced from precursor solutions with H2O/SiO2 = 25–100 and H2O/SiO2 = 10; 300, respectively. The average size of domains forming aggregate-like crystals is 40−50 nm. The specific acidity of ZSM-5 samples, synthesized from precursor solutions with different H2O/SiO2 molar ratios and the same Si/Al, has a trend to decrease along with the average crystal size increase. [Display omitted] •The H2O/SiO2 ratio in precursor solution sets yield, crystal size and morphology.•The higher H2O/SiO2 ratio, the wider crystal size distribution.•Aggregate-like ellipsoid crystals are formed at H2O/SiO2 = 25–100.•The acidity decreases along with growing average crystal size.