Direct synthesis of low-silica ZSM-48 zeolite via seed-assisted hydrothermal synthesis with 1,6-hexanediamine as template

Abstract

ZSM-48 zeolite is characteristic of 10-member ring (10-MR) one-dimensional tubular channel structure and finds extensive applications in catalytic hydroisomerization reactions. Here we developed an efficient synthetic strategy for low-silica ZSM-48 zeolite with a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio at 30–176 via a seed-assisted hydrothermal synthesis method, overcoming the limit that 1,6-hexanediamine (HDA) template can only be used to synthesize high-silica (i.e., SiO2/Al2O3 ratio >200) zeolites. A two-step crystallization procedure coupled with zeolite seed-assisted synthesis strategy was enrolled to realize well crystallized ZSM-48 zeolites, in which the zeolite nuclei are sufficiently produced at the nucleation temperature at 100 °C for 24 h with the aid of zeolite seeds, and the zeolite growth is proceeded at the crystallization temperature at 160 °C for 48 h. The morphology and particle size of low-silica ZSM-48 zeolite have been manipulated by adjusting the synthetic parameters, such as the alkalinity and silicon source of aluminosilicate gel for zeolite, the crystallization manner (static or dynamic crystallization), as well as the presence of additive (i.e., sodium chloride). The as-synthesized ZSM-48 zeolite possesses a high acid content of 0.194 mmol/g, highlighting its potential as an excellent acidic support for hydroisomerization catalysts. The cost-effective and environmentally friendly synthesis strategy, which is anticipated to expand the application of alkylamine organic templates in the synthesis of low-silica ZSM-48 zeolite.