Tuning acid sites distribution of zeolite ferrierite and impact on its catalytic performance

Abstract

Zeolite ferrierite has been synthesized following our synthesis strategy to control the distribution of acid sites in the zeolite framework. Different combinations of two templates have been employed as structure directing agents, in the absence of inorganic cations. The amount of bridging OH groups inside the ferrierite cavity, accessible only through 8-ring windows, relative to that in the 10-ring channels, has been found to strongly depend on the specific combination of structure directing agents employed in the synthesis. A good correlation between the acid sites accessibility and catalytic activity has been found. The catalytic performance of ferrierite samples prepared following our synthesis strategy has advantages compared to that of ferrierite obtained following the conventional procedure, employing pyrrolidine as structure directing agent, and in the presence of sodium. This synthesis route may be extended to other suitable zeolite materials.