Surfactant templated mesoporous zeolites have been synthesized by a post-synthetic modification process leading to well-controlled (by surfactant micelle size) 2-6 nm mesopores. These micro-mesoporous zeolites show a dramatic improvement as FCC catalysts at commercial scale in several refineries and are the first example of a commercial application of hierarchical zeolites. A complete textural characterization of these zeolites was performed using physical adsorption techniques including state-of-the-art pore size analysis using non-local density functional theory (NLDFT) applied to argon (87 K) isotherms. Argon adsorption at 65 K and 77 K was also used to elucidate the pore structure and quantify the freely accessible mesoporosity in the zeolites, ideal for efficient catalysis. Hysteresis scanning experiments for argon and nitrogen at various temperatures give details regarding the pore network characteristics and pore connectivity. This advanced characterization confirms the hierarchical nature of these zeolites and is important in determining the relationship between structure and catalytic properties.

Textural characterization of catalytically active hierarchically structured zeolites via gas adsorption

248th National Meeting (2014)

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