Seed-Induced Crystallization of Nanosized Na-ZSM-5 Crystals

Abstract

ZSM-5 nanocrystals were synthesized from organic-template-free gel systems containing 0.1, 1.0, and 3.0 wt % of 80 nm silicalite-1 seeds. The syntheses were performed at 100, 120, 150, and 170 °C for periods of time ranging between 3 and 190 h. Physicochemical characteristics derived from XRD, NMR, TG/DTA, SEM/TEM, DLS, N 2 adsorption and chemical analyses of Na-ZSM-5 nanocrystals were compared with those of the nanosized tetrapropylammonium (TPA)-promoted counterpart. Crystalline yield and colloidal stability of ZSM-5 nanosized materials obtained under different conditions (seed content, crystallization temperature, and time) were also studied. Another issue of interest in the framework of this study was the effect of seed pretreatment (drying, calcination) on the characteristics of crystalline product. Thus, factors controlling seeded growth of nanosized zeolite particles were established and the mechanism of formation, including parameters governing the formation of single or aggregated crystals, revealed.