Synthesis of Novel Hybrid Type Porous Materials

Ready access of hydrocarbon molecules to the catalyst sites is extremely important for petroleum refining catalysts, and access of hydrocarbon molecules to the active sites will result in higher catalytic performance. A new hybrid type of porous material was synthesized by growing MCM-41, a typical mesoporous silica, on both the outer surfaces and within the particles of ultra stable Y (USY) zeolite. Treatment of USY starting material under MCM-41 synthesis conditions was found to transform USY to MCM-41, with the formation MCM-41 on the particle surfaces and between USY zeolite particles. This new hybrid porous structure has improved diffusion of hydrocarbon molecules to the active sites within the USY and MCM-41 pores, resulting in enhanced activity for the hydrocracking of diphenylethane.