Synthesis of nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite with intracrystalline mesopores

A series of nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite samples with intracrystalline mesopores has been synthesized using organosilane functioned fumed silica as silica source and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide as microporous structure directing agent. The organic moiety linked on the surface of fumed silica blocks the growth of zeolite crystal, forming the nanosized zeolite crystal and intracrystalline defects inside the nano-crystal. The formation of the mesopores is by bond-blocking function in crystallization. The XRD results indicate that the samples are high crystalline ZSM-5 and the TEM images show that the samples are nanosized with the size ca. 20nm and the intracrystalline mesopores about 3nm exist inside the nanosized crystal. ► Nanosized ZSM-5 zeolite with intracrystalline mesopores was first prepared. ► The formation of the mesopores is by bond-blocking function in crystallization. ► The intracrystalline mesopores result in a spread hierarchical zeolite. ► The organic functioned silica source is essential for such material.