Two-stage dual template alkali metal-free synthesis of micro-mesoporous aluminosilicates based on ZSM-5 zeolite precursors

Carrying out the dual template synthesis (in the presence of molecular and micellar templates) in the alkali metal-free reaction media (pH 11.7–12) at a relatively low-temperature hydrothermal treatment (100–120 °C, duration 3–5 days) allowed to obtain micro-mesoporous aluminosilicates combining the properties of zeolite ZSM-5 and mesoporous molecular sieve AlSi-MCM-41. X-ray amorphous sol-precursors of ZSM-5 zeolite obtained by preliminary hydrothermal treatment of alkali metal-free reaction mixture at 160 °C and containing secondary building units of zeolite were used as initial substances for synthesis of micro-mesoporous aluminosilicates. During the joint formation of the structure of zeolite and mesoporous molecular sieve in one reaction mixture and in contiguous conditions close to optimal for their individual formation, composites zeolite/mesoporous molecular sieve were formed. The structural and sorption characteristics and acidity of the obtained composites differ from mechanical mixture of two phases. X-ray amorphous micro-mesoporous aluminosilicate with secondary building units and precursors of ZSM-5 in mesostructure is characterized by higher concentration and strength of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites as well as a higher catalytic activity in the reaction of cracking of cumene compared to AlSi-MCM-41 of similar composition. This aluminosilicate also exhibits a higher total selectivity toward the major products of reaction, in comparison with ZSM-5.