Synthesis of binderless zeolite aggregates (SOD, LTA, FAU) beads of 10, 70μm and 1mm by direct pseudomorphic transformation

• Published in: Microporous and mesoporous materials Vol. 176; pp. 145 - 154
• Main Authors: Mańko, Maria, Vittenet, Jullian, Rodriguez, Jeremy, Cot, Didier, Mendret, Julie, Brosillon, Stephan, Makowski, Wacław, Galarneau, Anne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.08.2013
• Subjects: Faujasite; Hexane adsorption; Pseudomorphic transformation; Zeolite particles; Zeolite particles; Pseudomorphic transformation; Hexane adsorption; Faujasite
• ISSN: 1387-1811; 1873-3093
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2013.04.006

[Display omitted] •Binderless zeolite aggregate particles of SOD, LTA, FAU-X were obtained.•Zeolites particles of 10, 70microns and 1mm were synthesized in one-step.•Silica beads were transformed in zeolites by pseudomorphic transformation.•Adsorption properties of zeolite pseudomorphs were maintained.•Remarkable synthesis yield were reached for LTA beads. Pseudomorphic transformation is a promising alternative to conventional approaches for the preparation of binderless preshaped zeolite beads. However this method was until now restricted to zeolites synthesized in low alkaline media (OH−/SiO2≪1) (ZSM-5, FER, BEA), where the silica dissolution rate was slow in comparison to zeolite crystallization rate. In this study, we demonstrated the possibility to prepare binderless zeolite aggregates beads of SOD, LTA and FAU-X requiring usually high alkaline media (OH−/SiO2>2). This was achieved by adding the right excess of aluminum to amorphous silica beads of the desired size and shape. Zeolite aggregate beads of SOD, LTA, FAU-X of 10, 70μm and 1mm were obtained in a one-step synthesis process with high synthesis yields. These zeolite beads are formed by an aggregation of small crystals of 1.5μm. The preservation of the adsorption properties of these zeolite pseudomorphs were highlighted by N2 sorption at −196°C and QE-TPDA of n-hexane experiments at room temperature. These zeolite beads would be highly suitable for column filling and continuous flow applications as catalysis or adsorption.