Study of the methodology of ZSM-5 zeolite synthesis

Abstract

Methodologies of ZSM-5 zeolite synthesis proposed in the literature were evaluated. Characterization of the synthesized samples was done by atomic absorption, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and surface area analysis. Several parameters, such as source and order of addition of reagents, nature of template, molar ratios in the reaction medium, seeding, time and temperature of crystallization, were analyzed. The use of ethanol instead of nitrogenated templates, combined with the use of a seed proportion well above that recommended in the literature led to a methodology of ZSM-5 synthesis that was found to be productive and with good reproducibility. The characterization of the obtained samples confirmed the production of ZSM-5 zeolite with a good crystallinity. The synthesized zeolites have been used successfully as crystallization seeds in new syntheses.