Enhancement of Sorption Processes in the Zeolite H‐ZSM5 by Postsynthetic Surface Modification

Abstract

Catching molecules: When the surface of zeolite HZSM-5 (see picture, red) is modified by amorphous SiO2 layers (gray), increased surface roughness results. The mesopores in the rough SiO2 layer funnel benzene molecules into the micropores of the zeolite, thus increasing sorption rates for benzene at the acidic hydroxy groups by a factor of two. The size of the mesopores relative to the adsorbing molecules is critical for sorption-rate enhancement.