Surface and Pore Structure Assessment of Hierarchical MFI Zeolites by Advanced Water and Argon Sorption Studies

Advanced physicochemical characterization of the pore structure of hierarchical zeolites, including the precise knowledge of pore size, interconnectivity, and surface properties, is crucial in order to interpret their superior performance in catalytic and adsorption applications. Postsynthetic mesopore formation by alkaline treatment of zeolites leads to simultaneous compositional changes due to the selective dissolution of silicon. By careful tuning of these effects through subsequent acid treatment, the Si/Al ratio can be restored to that of the parent zeolite. We evaluate the application of argon (87.3 K) and water (298.5 K) adsorption to assess the porous properties of mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolites with equivalent porosity, but differing composition. An accurate and combined micro/mesopore size analysis is obtained by applying NLDFT (nonlocal density functional theory) analysis on the argon isotherms. The argon adsorption data clearly reveal the two different relative pressure regions of micro- and mesopore filling of hierarchical zeolites. In contrast, the two filling regions overlap upon adsorption of water due to the hydrophobic nature of the ZSM-5 micropores and the much more hydrophilic nature of the mesopores. This indicates that water adsorption is sensitive to the Si/Al ratio, the distribution of aluminum species in the zeolite, and to the presence of polar groups on the mesopore surface. Thus, further insights into the surface and structural properties of the pores in hierarchical zeolites prepared by desilication can be gained. Based on our results, we put forward a hydrophilicity index capable of identifying differences in surface chemistry between distinct porous materials, and also between the micro- and mesopores present within hierarchically structured nanoporous materials.