Ultrasonically prepared mesoporous zeolites with faujasite type structure as catalysts for the production of diethyl ether and ethylene from ethanol

•Duration of ultrasonic irradiation have great influence on the silicon extraction.•Ultrasounds enhances mesoporosity of prepared zeolites.•The production of mesoporosity did not generate amorphization.•Highest si extraction is achieved for the samples sonochemically treated for 15 min.•Sonochemically desilicated zeolites reveals attractive catalytic properties. In this paper, we reported the optimization of sonochemical assisted desilication of faujasite type zeolite. Two times shortening of the duration of ultrasonic irradiation (from 30 to 15 min) caused significantly higher silicon extraction. It is possible that during first 15 min of treatment, desilication takes place mainly in bulk, while in further alkaline treatment, Si extraction may occur mainly on the surface of modified FAU31-based sample. All synthesized catalysts were active in the dehydration of ethanol reaction. Generally, the use of sonochemical assisted desilication procedure resulted in higher average pore diameter in respect to the catalysts modified by using traditional technique. However, thermal stability, acidity and catalytic properties maintained comparable. It was also indicated that depending on the reaction temperature, our FAU-type zeolites may be used as catalysts for the production of diethyl ether or ethylene from ethanol. [Display omitted]