A 3D extra-large-pore zeolite enabled by 1D-to-3Dtopotactic condensation of a chain silicate

Abstract

Zeolites are microporous silicates with a large variety of applications as catalysts, adsorbents, and cationexchangers. Stable silica-based zeolites with increased porosity are in demand to allow adsorption andprocessing of large molecules but challenge our synthetic ability. We report a new, highly stable pure silicazeolite called ZEO-3, which has a multidimensional, interconnected system of extra-large pores open throughwindows made by 16 and 14 silicate tetrahedra, the least dense polymorph of silica known so far. This zeolitewas formed by an unprecedented one-dimensional to three-dimensional (1D-to-3D) topotactic condensationof a chain silicate. With a specific surface area of more than 1000 square meters per gram, ZEO-3 showed ahigh performance for volatile organic compound abatement and recovery compared with other zeolites andmetal-organic frameworks.