Synthesis and characterization of fibrous silica ZSM-5 for cumene hydrocracking

Inspired by the high accessibility and low diffusion limitations of fibrous silica nanoparticles (KCC-1), fibrous silica ZSM-5 (FZSM-5) was engineered using a microemulsion system. The spherical FZSM-5 with a dendrimeric silica fiber possessed a high surface area (554 m 2 ), a wide pore diameter (2-20 nm), abundant strong acid sites and high catalytic activity towards cumene hydrocracking. Fibrous silica ZSM-5 (FZSM-5) with a novel dendrimeric morphology was synthesized using a CTAB-based microemulsion system. The dendrimers increased the active site accessibility and enhanced the catalytic activity for large molecule hydrocracking and ethylbenzene dehydrogenation.