Hierarchical materials originated from mesoporous MCF material and Beta zeolite nanoparticles – synthesis and catalytic activity in N2O decomposition

Abstract

Hierarchical micro-mesoporous materials with the properties of Beta zeolite and mesoporous cellular foam (MCF) material were prepared by impregnation of MCF with a suspension of zeolite nanoparticles. Four different methods were used for MCF modification: (1) wet impregnation, (2) wet impregnation with acidification of Beta nanoseeds suspension, (3) incipient wetness impregnation, (4) incipient wetness impregnation with acidification of Beta nanoseeds suspension. The obtained materials were characterized using nitrogen sorption measurements, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) techniques. The use of different impregnation methods resulted in introduction of various forms of iron species to the samples. The iron modified samples (iron was introduced using ion-exchange method) as well as mesoporous MCF silica and Beta zeolite (as reference samples) were tested as catalysts in the N2O decomposition reaction.