Hierarchical Zeolites Overcome all Obstacles: Next Stop Industrial Implementation

Authors

  • Danny Verboekend Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zurich Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10 CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
  • Sharon Mitchell Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zurich Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10 CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
  • Javier Pérez-Ramírez Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences ETH Zurich Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10 CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland. jpr@chem.ethz.ch

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2533/chimia.2013.327

Keywords:

Heterogeneous catalysis, Hierarchical zeolite, Post-synthetic modification, Scale-up

Abstract

This review emphasizes key recent accomplishments towards the industrial exploitation of hierarchically structured zeolites in catalytic processes. A major milestone comprises the demonstration that affordable post-synthetic modifications enable the transformation of any conventional zeolite into hierarchical analogues with tunable porosity and functionality. Through specific examples, belonging to the transformation of fossil fuel and renewable feedstocks, we quantitatively illustrate the spectacular benefits attained upon application of hierarchical zeolite catalysts due to improved accessibility or modification of the type and distribution of active sites. A crucial step for these exciting lab-designed materials to be implemented in industrial processes is to shape them into technical forms. Accordingly, we studied the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic evaluation of millimeter-sized hierarchical zeolite bodies, enriching the fundamental understanding on scale-up and representing an additional solid step towards the commercial application of these materials.

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Published

2013-05-29