Structured Binder-Free Al-β Zeolite for Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration

It has long remained a challenge in catalysis to synthesize technical hierarchical nanosized zeolites without growth modifiers and binders. Herein, we report facile synthetic route directly prepare binderless Al-β zeolite shaped form, with retained acidity, sufficient mechanical strengths. The preparation process consists of two steps, where an nanopowder is first using tetraethyl orthosilicate; the extrudate then recrystallized under hydrothermal conditions assistance tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) solution. alkaline environment leads mesopores into zeolite, transforms as well SiO2 binders framework. Several characterization methods were performed reveal structure–property relationships materials powdered form. was found that TEAOH treatment combination desilication, mesopore formation, binder recrystallization give nanoparticles, resulting obvious increase microporosity, X-ray diffraction crystallinity samples. Density functional theory calculations also used rationalize process. Finally, utility demonstrated by evaluating their catalytic properties dehydration 2-(4-ethylbenzoyl)-benzoic acid, reaction which traditionally catalyzed concentrated sulfuric acid oleum. We catalyst form exhibits better performance than HB nanoparticles higher product yield traditional (homogeneous) catalysts.